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On 9/14/2009 11:56:01 AM Benjamin Benson, commander, U.S. Coast Guard wrote
Port Industries: Key Partners for Maritime Security in Africa
The Mauritius Port Authority (MPA), in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard's International Port Security (IPS) Program, held a conference of the South Asia and Africa Regional Cooperative (SAARPSCO), bringing together regional port industry representatives, key government officials, and maritime security forces' officers. Speakers included representatives from the MPA, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness (OGMSA), and ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia). Important developments on counter-piracy, port security, international and regional cooperation, best practices, and opportunities to improve the security of the Maritime Transportation System were discussed by the delegates representing eight African and South Asian countries and territories.
Two major facts stood out at this conference. First, industry is a vital and engaged partner for security. The maritime industry depends on security of the Maritime Transportation System, and directly suffers from piracy and other threats. Their cooperation with government agencies and the maritime security forces (navies, coast guards, port police, etc.), is key to addressing maritime security in a holistic manner.
Second, port security improvements need not be an expense, but can increase efficiency and profitability. Major port security initiatives, like the U.S. CBP's Customs and Trade Partners Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, increase transparency of supply chains, improve confidence, and enable efficiency improvements. Stronger security prevents losses and theft, reduces risks, and cuts costs to the industry.
The Seychelles Port Authority has now taken over chairmanship of the SAARPSCO and will host the 2010 conference. Like at this meeting, SAARPSCO will continue to provide a valuable forum for industry - government - maritime forces cooperation to improve the security of the Maritime Transportation System.
Benjamin Benson Commander, U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Africa Command Strategy, Policy and Programs (SCS)
On 9/22/2009 3:22:12 PM Anonymous in Madagascar wrote Environement is also very important, just soon, a boat sunk in the south coast of Madagascar, and after nobody knows about, perhaps it will be like in Ivory Coast some children will dye from a strange way some year later ,and who knows whose children will also die in Indien Ocean because of pollution of the Indien Ocean?
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