THE Maritime Administrative Department (MARAD) in collaboration with United States Coast Guard on Friday held its closing ceremony in capacity building training on International Port Security at Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, in which participants were presented certificates.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn in his address said that the Government of Guyana is committed to port security and their partnership with the US as it regards to training initiatives since we are constantly seeking to better develop security at our ports.

He said: “We have high expectations of port security and we should never tell ourselves that we have a good system because with criminals it is in their best interest to test our system to make it default so that they can continue to do their nefarious activities and we have to be vigilant that such does not happen.”

He added that our aim is to improve and test the security system regularly and we can only do so through training and partnership is essential for such to take place under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

Benn stated that training should be ongoing because there is no ‘perfect’ port security in any country and the seminar derived many benefits for not only inter-agency interaction but also information sharing which is critical to improve our port security.

He recognised that the seminar was well attended by the relevant stakeholders and is of the hope that more such training sessions will be done to improve our port security locally since criminal elements are testing our ability with newer interventions.

The minister said we need to be above them as such training is top most priority so our people will be fully equipped by way of training which is beneficial for us to be effective at our job and with port security it is no different since it improves the overall knowledge of the point people.

Meanwhile, US Charge` D’ Affaires Bryan said that he recognises the cooperation between the Governments of the US and Guyana, and the significant bilateral discussion and commitment to enhancing maritime port security both countries have demonstrated.

He stated that in 2009, when President Barack Obama announced the CBSI partnership between the US and Caribbean Governments, he emphasised the need to substantially reduce illicit trafficking, increase public safety and security and to promote social justice.

Hunt added that since the President’s announcement, the US Government has partnered with Caribbean Governments, regional institutions such as CARICOM and the OECS, the private sector, civil society, law enforcement and the judiciary to improve legal and regulatory frameworks; support projects for increased youth employment opportunities; improve aerial and maritime security and to increase regional cooperation.

The diplomat noted that the port security related workshops and seminars facilitated by the US Coast Guard and MARAD in Guyana over the past year have helped to meet the objectives of CBSI.

He said that maritime port security is pivotal in guaranteeing the safety and security of the ships calling on Guyanese ports, and ensuring that those same ships do not introduce threats to the ports they visit next.

Hunt added that the US Coast Guard conducted four seminars over the course of the year covering the facilitation of drills and exercises, international auditing standards and procedures and the implementation of international maritime port security laws and regulations.

The envoy pointed out that the Guyanese maritime are now better equipped to manage security within Guyana’s ports and within the maritime domain and the newly acquired training will allow Guyanese authorities to better deter, detect and respond to both internal and external threats in their maritime ports.

Hunt stated that because ports are a country’s gateway to the world, they are very complicated and involve multiple agencies.

He said: “I was pleased to learn that not only did the US Coast Guard and MARAD Guyana participate in these workshops but many key players and stakeholders involved in the ports participated as well.”

Hunt pointed out that there was participation from Customs, Guyana Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, Ministry of Health and representatives from all the country’s private and public ports and the interaction between multiple agencies and the involvement of the private sector is crucial to successful coordination in both prevention and response to potential threats.

He noted that globalisation and the increased demand for “just in time” delivery have fuelled ship builders to design and build faster and larger ships and these ships are now able to connect more places in the world and effectively decrease the distance, relative to time, of two trading nations.

Hunt said: “This increase in trade efficiency introduces a new threat to the maritime transportation system. More ships calling on a port offer more opportunities to introduce threats.”

He stated that security is also becoming a more global issue and criminal networks are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to move people and illicit cargo aboard the same ships that supply the goods and resources that grow and develop our economies.

The diplomat added that for these reasons, we must be proactive and remain vigilant to the ever persistent threat that is posed to our countries ports via the international maritime transportation system.

Hunt disclosed that security comes at a cost but the cost of insecurity is far greater and not maintaining adequate security could have the result of shipping insurance rates increasing or shippers going to other countries to supply and receive goods.

He said that a reduction in shipping as a result of security related incidents could significantly impact the price of both imported and exported goods, and negatively impact economic growth in Guyana and harm businesses in its major trading partners including the U.S.

The US Embassy official pointed out that by providing workshops and seminars on maritime port security, the US Government is working with MARAD and other agencies in Guyana to prevent such a potential situation from becoming reality.

Hunt told the gathering that the US Government remains committed to port security partnerships with Guyana and in the Caribbean as a means of investing in the future and supporting sustainable development of the Region.

He added that building partnerships with Regional institutions such as CARICOM and the OECS partnering with Governments, civil society and private enterprises remains essential to our ability to support initiatives that are relevant and create sufficient impact and long term economic growth.

Hunt stressed that the collective efforts of the many port security partners and key stakeholders is collectively instrumental in creating an environment that can support the success of port and maritime security.

He said: “The strides that have been made thus far in various programmes across the Region have been as a result of the involvement of all these players, therefore, we look forward to continuing similar collaboration and building on this work in the future.”

Chief Port Security Officer, Major Dwain Nurse in brief remarks said that the capacity building seminar was four-part and outlined its importance in safeguarding our ports as was necessary since the stakeholders have benefitted tremendously from a well planned seminar which was done.

US Coast Guard Lieutenant Steve Barry said the four-week course was intense and he is pleased with the attendance of participants from various sectors which indicated that Guyana is serious about port security and we want to equip our people to improve our system locally.
He added that in order for the system to be boosted participants need to rely on each other and employ best practices and we must not see our port security as being ‘perfect’ but seek to constantly improve it and identify our vulnerabilities and also continue training.

Acting Director General of MARAD Stephen Thomas told the gathering that training is always welcomed and necessary to strengthen ships and port security noting that MARAD is also tasked with enforcing safety regulations as well.
He pointed out that the modules was most fitting as he highlighted the task of MARAD as it relates to ships and port security while admitting that we should not be of the view that our port security is perfect as was pointed out by US Coast Guard Lieutenant Steve Barry.
Thomas encouraged the participants to share their knowledge as they would have gained from the seminar to their colleagues to further safeguard ships and ports maritime security.

(By Michel Outridge)