Port Security and Safety

Ports, Ships and Cargocan be potential targets for terrorism. The International Ship & Port facility Security (ISPS) Code is an international regulation that regulates certain measures are taken to ensure the security of ships and Port Facilities. Aside from the ISPS Code, North Sea Port is itself strongly committed to proper security.

ISPS

Rules to ensure the security of the port are in effect in the North Sea Port port area. These rules were set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in what is known as the International Ship & Port facility Security (ISPS) Code. The security measures from the code have been adopted in European regulation 725/2004 

 The ISPS code applies to: 

  • Cargo vessels with a Gross Tonnage of 500 tons or more that sail on international sea routes; 
  • Passenger vessels (more than 12 passengers) that sail on international sea routes; 
  • Drilling rigs (mechanically propelled); 
  • All Port Facilities which receive the aforementioned vessels. 


In the Netherlands, this legislation is incorporated into the Havenbeveiligingswet

And in Belgium, these laws have been included in the new Belgisch Scheepvaartwetboek (May 8 2019). 

Port Security Officer

At North Sea Port, the Harbourmaster acts as designated Port Security Officer (PSO).

  • North Sea Port Netherlands: Hein Versluis
  • North Sea Port Flanders: Wim Van Bogaert

The PSO is designated for the Netherlands with a formal designation and mandate decision. This also includes the mandated tasks to him. 

Mandate decision