STATUS OF MOZAMBIQUE PORT ISPS COMPLIANCE

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001321 SIPDIS STATE FOR EB AND AF/S - HTREGER DEPARTMENT PASS TO COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY DIRECTORATE:LOSCIUTO COMMERCE FOR AHILIGAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD EWWT KTIA PBTS PHSA PINS PREL PTER MZ ASEC SUBJECT: STATUS OF MOZAMBIQUE PORT ISPS COMPLIANCE REF: SECSTATE 194220 Action Request in para 3 ¶1. On September 29, econ/poloff delivered reftel letter and Port Security Advisory (PSA) to Ministry of Transportation and Communication Chief of Staff Antonio Cuna. Mr. Cuna responded by saying that the Port of Maputo and the Port of Beira were in compliance with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The Port of Maputo was in compliance with the ISPS code prior to the issuance of the PSA on September 9. The Port of Beira was brought into compliance on the week of September 20. Mr. Cuna said that the authorities were working on bringing Mozambique's third and final port, the Port of Nacala, into compliance and would do so prior to November 9. He added that Mozambican authorities had communicated relevant ISPS Code compliance plans to the IMO. ¶2. Separately, the director of the Port of Maputo called us to voice concern over the impact on port activity of the PSA. He said the IMO had approved Mozambique's plans (post has also heard this informally through USG channels) and urged that the PSA for Mozambique be lifted as soon as possible, and well before the November 9 date when the next PSA is scheduled to be issued. ¶3. Action Request: Post would appreciate confirmation from the Coast Guard that the PSA for Mozambique will be lifted and guidance on when this will take place. End Action Request. LA LIME