Ship operators in Cebu benefitted from the recently conducted Ship Security Assessment (SSA) and Ship Security Plan (SSP) Development Workshops by the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) at the Port of Cebu from June 08 to 10, 2022. The said workshops were free-of-charge.

After a series of virtual meetings and roundtable discussions with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and various shipping companies, the OTS had successfully completed the workshop for Cebu-based ship operators to assist them in complying with the standards set under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the National Security Programme for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure (NSPSTMI).

SSA and SSP are vital individual Philippine Registered Vessel documents before a National Ship Security Certificate (NSSC) for coastwise trading and International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) for International voyages can be issued.

Thirty-one (31) attendees from Seventeen (17) different Cebu-based shipping companies actively participated in the workshop. To-date, a total of one hundred twenty-three (123) vessels have submitted SSA and SSP, and are to be issued with National Ship Security Certificates (NSSCs).

The Cebu Port Authority’s support, under the leadership of General Manager Leonilo E. Miole, along with CPA Port Police Department Officers, and Ms. Elisa C. Lagare, were likewise instrumental in bringing the activity into fruition.

A series of SSA, SSP, as well as Port Facility Security Assessment, and Port Facility Security Plan Development Workshops for Cebu-based Maritime Stakeholders are scheduled to be delivered in July 2022.