ISPS / Port Security

The introduction of the ISPS (International Ship Port Security) legislation makes it obligatory for all port facilities to meet its statutory requirements. The ISPS is a worldwide legislation that came into effect in July 2004. It sets a number of requirements for ships and terminals.

Which port facilities are subject to the ISPS?

The ISPS applies to all facilities that receive seagoing ships with a gross tonnage of more than 500 tons, including drilling rigs and mobile offshore installations.

What are the implications of the ISPS?

There are entry restrictions at various security levels, Section 16.11, part B.
Identification and pass system: Identification for access to the port facilities is required for each security level.
The facility must supervise all of the access routes to the port facility.

Request PortPass?

Download the PortPass requestform, fill in en send to: PortPass@groningen-seaports.com

The implications for the port of Delfzijl and Eemshaven

The introduction of the ISPS obliges the companies that receive seagoing ships to put a number of measures in place, such as securing the sites in such a way that they are no longer open to the public. The facility is also required to know which people are present on their sites at all times. This means that entry and exit control is required.

How has Groningen Seaports arranged this?

Since Groningen Seaports has a number of quays that receive a maximum of 10 ships a year, other measures in accordance with the ISPS have been taken for those locations: the ‘ESA measures’. Under these measures no measures need to be taken when no seagoing ships are moored. ISPS-equivalent measures have to be put in place when seagoing ships arrive.

The Groningen Seaports locations that receive more than 10 seagoing ships a year have been closed to the public. The bulk quay in Eemshaven is a good example of this. In cooperation with the established companies Groningen Seaports has opted for a pass system that makes it possible for the people authorised by these companies to gain access to the bulk quay at all times.

Which quays can be accessed with the PortPass?

The bulk quay (Northern quay Julianahaven): Wijnne Barends, Cement Sales North GmbH, Holland Malt and Eco Fuels
Southern quay Beatrixhaven: Wijnne Barends, Holemans, Bek&Verburg/DHSS
The BTE site for the RoRo Jetty and the Oil Jetty Julianahaven (Vopak)
Northern quay Wilhelminahaven
Jetty Wilhelminahaven: Theo Pouw

What about ships that do not need to meet the ISPS requirements?

Fishing vessels and inland waterway vessels are provisionally exempted from the ISPS. However if these vessels moor at a berth subject to the statutory ISPS obligations they will be covered by the ISPS rules set for the facility, which means that all persons will have to report their arrival and departure by road to the facility’s Port Facility Security Officer.