Iraq's Umm Qasr is haven of safety

Dubai: Heightened security measures at Iraq's main seaport of Umm Qasr are providing a relatively safe operational environment for the shipping and logistics industry, says a security expert.

"Iraq's transitional government has endeavoured to carry out the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) with visible effect on port operations," said David Fairnie, director maritime, HART, a global security provider.

Addressing the shipping industry at the Middle East Money and Ships conference in Dubai yesterday Fairnie said that Umm Qasr's operational turn-over has increased from $3 million last year to about $10 million this year.

The ISPS is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed by the International Maritime Organisation in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States. Despite the unsettled conditions in Iraq the government is committed to improving and maintaining the transportation infrastructure, raising port security to international levels, oil terminal and anchorage safety and security, said Fairnie.

It faces the dual challenge of guarding against insurgency, criminal activity and piracy while trying to be commercially competitive and reducing anchorage waiting time for ships.

The Iraqi Government is addressing the transportation infrastructure and it has the potential to become a maritime hub in the region providing direct access via rail to the European Union markets, he said.