The United States has said port security exchanges continue to be of immense mutual benefit.
US Coast Guard International Port Security (IPS) Programme representatives conducted a country assessment with the Bangladesh Department of Shipping from 20 to 23 January.
During this country assessment, the US Coast Guard worked directly with the Department of Shipping in a bilateral exchange of port security information and sharing of best practices.
"The knowledge gained from this assessment will be used by ports around the country to enhance their port security programs, thus enhancing the security of the worldwide maritime transportation system. We believe these port security exchanges continue to be of immense mutual benefit,” said head of the US delegation Lieutenant Commander Nagy.
The head of delegation thanked the Department of Shipping for this opportunity to continue these discussions between the two governments to improve port security measures in their respective countries and learn more about Bangladesh’s implementation of the ISPS Code.
The maritime transportation system is the backbone of international trade and the global economy, according to the US Embassy in Dhaka.
To establish a comprehensive approach to maritime security, the International Maritime Organization and its member states developed the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the only internationally accepted blueprint for the implementation of maritime security measures.
The US Coast Guard’s IPS Program was established in 2003 to reinforce implementation of the ISPS Code to better understand maritime security measures worldwide.
Committed to port security and working with maritime trading partners, IPS Program delegations request to visit partner countries triennially to meet with officials responsible for the oversight of port security and observe the implementation of the ISPS Code within the country’s ports.
The US Coast Guard, the US Embassy said, is committed to maintaining partnerships worldwide to improve US safety and security, offering a reciprocal port security program for foreign government officials.
