Port Security Training Program Greeting

Minister Pickersgill, Dr. Hylton, distinguished guests from throughout the Caribbean and the United States, good morning.  

I am very pleased to join the organization of American States, the Port Authority of Jamaica, and the U.S. Maritime Authority (or "MARAD") at this opening ceremony to launch the Inter-American Port Security Training Program.

As the July 1 deadline for ISPS code compliance quickly approaches, port security is becoming an increasingly important topic in the minds of all who participate in international trade.

Implementing the increased security requirements and meeting this deadline is imperative to ensuring the continued secure flow of the international shipping that is the lifeblood of our economies.

We are confident that the increased security requirements will facilitate this trade and expedite the rapid movement of legitimate cargo while detecting and detaining cargo that could present a risk to our respective countries or others.

Additionally, the ISPS code [international shipping and port facility security code] is expected to enhance custom revenue collection, an important budgetary consideration for any nation. 

The United States commends your immediate recognition - in the post 9/11 world - of the dramatically altered security environment, and particularly, the increasingly challenging cargo security requirements - and for making the decision to invest in the necessary changes to support your countries' ports.

We are confident that with the cooperation of the OAS, MARAD,  and ports throughout the Caribbean, this region, our "third border", will meet the ISPS deadline and provide a secure environment in which to conduct international trade.

The United States is very pleased to work with you - our important partners in trade - to promote safe and secure ports that help our nations to combat transnational criminal activity, while facilitating commerce throughout the region - and worldwide.

We also recognize the representatives from our Department of Homeland Security and from the Miami-Dade police department for your commitment to ensuring that not only are the United States' ports secure, but that our neighbor's ports are also secure.

I wish you much success during this training program and thank you for your participation.