IWR and PIANC–U.S. Participate in Organization of American States Port Security Conference

ALEXANDRIA, VA – April 28, 2008. Representatives from IWR participated in the recent Third Hemispheric Conference on Port Security, conducted by the Organization of American States Inter-American Committee on Ports (OAS-CIP). The conference was held April 7-10, 2008, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and was attended by delegations from 32 Organization of American States (OAS) member countries.

The conference highlighted the challenges faced by all nations of the hemisphere -- but especially the smaller developing ones – in implementing the necessary port security features while also sustaining economically competitive port operations. A closing panel offered perspectives on regional cooperation and shared best practices from several organizations, including the Caribbean Shipping Association and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Lillian Almodovar and David Grier from IWR participated as observers representing the Corps and PIANC–U.S. respectively. The U.S. delegation was headed by Mr. Sean Connaughton, Administrator of the Maritime Administration, and included representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, National Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the Corps.

Three plenary sessions covered topics including the adoption status of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), health and labor issues, and overviews of port security protocols at principal ports in 21 countries. Mr. Connaughton spoke about coordination with trade partners on security requirements for U.S-bound cargo, while Mr. Pedro Roman, Port Director for Spain, provided a similar overview for the European Union.

More about the Conference

This third port security conference began with a formal inaugural session chaired by Vice Admiral Homero Lajara, director for port security in the Dominican Republic, and included Mr. Angel Gonzalez Rul, Delegate of Mexico and Chair, Executive Board, CIP; Ms. Sherry Tross, Chief of Staff and Asst. Secretary General, OAS; and Mr. Luis Taveras, President of the Administrative Council for the Port Authority of the Dominican Republic. Mr. Michel Donner of the World Bank reviewed cost comparisons at several ports to achieve ISPS compliance and discussed financing options for less developed nations. The two previous conferences were held in Miami in 2004 and Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela in 2006.

Learn more: