PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY

Panama Maritime Authority

Directorate General of Merchant Marine

International Representative Office, New York

Merchant Marine Circular No. 131 REVISED

To: Shipowners/Operators, Masters, Recognized Security

Organizations and Marine Inspectors of

Panamanian Registered Vessels

Subject: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ISPS CODE

References: SOLAS 74 (2002 Amendments)

The International Code for the Security of Ships and

Port Facilities (ISPS Code)

<![if !supportLists]>1. <![endif]>The purpose of this Merchant Marine Circular is to serve as guidance regarding the amendments to the SOLAS Convention and to the new Chapters regarding Maritime Security and the new ISPS Code.<o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>2. <![endif]>The diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security held in London in December 2002 adopted new provisions in the International Convention for the safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 and the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities (ISPS Code) to enhance maritime security. The ISPS Code is entering into effect internationally on the 1^st of July 2004.<o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>3. <![endif]>Having regard to the importance of the ISPS Code, the Panama Maritime Authority through its Board of Directors created the Maritime Security Department. This department has the responsibility to oversee the implementation of the ISPS Code and responds solely to the Administrator. <o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>4. <![endif]>The Panama Maritime Authority has outlined the implementation of the Code in a four-step process: <o:p></o:p>

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1. The elaboration of the Ship Security Plans (SSP);<o:p></o:p>

2. The evaluation of the Ship Security Plans (SSP);<o:p></o:p>

3. The verification of the Ship Security Plans (SSP);and<o:p></o:p>

4. The issuance of the Full Term ISSC (five years validity).<o:p></o:p>

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5. Panama will incorporate the figure of Recognized Security Organizations (RSO) in the implementation of the ISPS Code; and multiple Interim Guidelines have been issued on the different aspects of the Code: Ships, Port Facilities, Companies and Recognized Security Organizations. For further information regarding this subject, please write to MSD@amp.gob.pa <o:p></o:p>

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6. The Panama Maritime Authority has recognized as the RSOs responsible for the evaluation of Ship Security Plans (SSP):<o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>1. <![endif]>Phoenix Vessel Services (P.V.S.) (http://www.pvspan.com)<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>2. <![endif]>Universal Security Group (U.S.G.) (www.universesecurity.co.uk)<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>3. <![endif]>ST Education and Training, Pte, Ltd. (S.T.E.T.) (Singapore Technologies Engineering subsidiary) (www.stet.com.sg)<o:p></o:p>

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Shipowners must submit their SSP for plan approval following instructions by the different authorized RSOs.<o:p></o:p>

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7. Upon evaluation of the plan by P.V.S, U.S.G, or S.T.E.T., shipowners shall be notified of the approval so they can contact an RSO (Verifier) to carry out the verification on board. The following list of RSOs has been authorized for the verification process:<o:p></o:p>

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1. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)<o:p></o:p>

2. Det Norske Veritas (DNV)<o:p></o:p>

3. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK)<o:p></o:p>

4. Registro Italiano Navale (RINA)<o:p></o:p>

5. Ferriby Marine<o:p></o:p>

6. Panama Bureau of Shipping S.A. (PBS)<o:p></o:p>

7. Panama Maritime Quality Services, Inc.<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>9. <![endif]>Bureau Veritas (BV)<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>10. <![endif]>China Classification Society (CCS)<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>11. <![endif]>Korean Register of Shipping (KRS)

12. Lloyd’s Register (LR)

13. Germanischer Lloyd (GL)

14. China Corporation of Shipping

15. Maritime Security Bureau

16. Martinez & Co., Inc.

17. Aspiotis Maritime Ltd.

18. Marine Bureau, Inc.

19. Hellenic Register of Shipping

20. International Register of Shipping (Panama) Inc.<o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>8. <![endif]>The RSO carrying out the verification will then submit a report to the Panama Maritime Authority detailing the inspection carried out and determining that the vessel is found in compliance with the approved ship security plan. The Panama Maritime Authority will then issue an International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) to the vessel.<o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>9. <![endif]>The validity of the ISSC will be of five (5) years with interim inspections between the second and third year and a second one six months prior to expiration. Interim ISSC could be issued by the RSO carrying out the verification or by the Panama Maritime Authority and the validity of the same should not exceed six (6) months.

9 Bis. Upon completion of the SSP’s verification, RSOs are entitled to issue on behalf of the Panama Maritime Authority a Short Term ISSC valid for five months – to cover the period between the audit and the issuance of the full term ISSC.<o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>10. <![endif]>Ships under bareboat charter - For the effects of this Maritime Administration, the responsibility of the elaboration, evaluation and implementation of the Ship Security Plan on board of bareboat charter vessels will be subject to requirements of the Flag the vessel is flying. <o:p></o:p>

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<![if !supportLists]>11. <![endif]>ITC 69: This Administration will consider the application of the ISPS Code to those passenger vessels, cargo vessels and high-speed crafts based only on their ITC-69 tonnage, this provision does not include MODU units. National tonnage provisions (interim scheme) will not be taken into consideration. <o:p></o:p>

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December 2003

Revised April 2004 (inclusion of 5 additional RSOs)

Revised June 2004 (inclusion of 2 additional RSOs)

Revised June 21, 2004 (inclusion of 9 Bis: Short Term ISSC)<o:p></o:p>

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Inquiries concerning the subject of this Circular or any request should be directed to:<o:p></o:p>

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Panama Maritime Authority <o:p></o:p>

Maritime Security Department <o:p></o:p>

P.O. Box 592 Balboa, Ancon, Panama,

Republic of Panama<o:p></o:p>

Fax: (507) 232 8268<o:p></o:p>

</div>E-mail: MSD@amp.gob.pa<o:p></o:p>

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