Ports declare emergency to meet ISPS standards

Port authorities at the Ecuadorian ports of Bolivar, Manta and Esmeraldas have declared a state of emergency to improve security measures and achieve certification under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), El Universo reported. Guayaquil port made a similar declaration earlier this month. Failure to met a July 2004 International Maritime Organisation deadline to comply to ISPS means a port will be unable to trade directly with the US. In particular, the code calls for a reduction in the number of people that have access to port installations. Banana exports to the US are vital to Ecuador's economy, but packing is labor intensive, occurs at the ports, and mainly at night. Guayaquil plans to invest some US$1.5mn to obtain ISPS certification and intends to develop a packaging facility outside the port. The Manta Port Authority (APM) will spend US$230,000 to improve security including installation of CCTV. The Bolivar Port Authority (APPB) says that bananas represent 90% of the port's traffic.