DRC ATTEMPTS TO KEEP PORTS AFLOAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001039

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2015
TAGS: EWWT ECON PREL PTER PINS CG
SUBJECT: DRC ATTEMPTS TO KEEP PORTS AFLOAT

REF: A. 04 KINSHASA 1251

B. KINSHASA 315

Classified By: Econoff Wendy Brafman, for Reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (U) Summary: The GDRC is increasing its efforts to bring
its maritime ports into compliance with international
security standards in response to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
sanctions that became effective May 23. The USCG now
requires inspection of all ships that enter U.S. ports within
five ports of call of the DRC. The DRC and the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) claim that the DRC ports are now
generally in compliance but for minor administrative
measures, but the USCG must inspect the ports before
sanctions can be withdrawn. Further, ONATRA (the DRC's port
authority) needs additional funds to complete a second
required round of security upgrades. Communication problems,
insufficient training and lack of equipment are obstacles to
full implementation of required security measures. Post is
encouraging the USCG to visit the DRC's ports to verify
compliance status and give technical advice. End Summary.

COAST GUARD ISSUED SANCTIONS
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2. (SBU) In mid-May, Post informed the Ministry of Transport
and ONATRA of the USCG's restrictions on ships entering the
U.S. May 23 or later, pursuant to USCG Security Advisory
(1-05). Over the past year, the DRC has worked with post,
ONATRA, its parent Ministry of Transport, the USCG and the
IMO to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility
Security Code (ISPS) (see reftel A). The USCG requires that
the DRC report ISPS code implementation to the IMO to confirm
that it has enacted anti-terrorism measures, and the USCG
must inspect the ports to confirm compliance. The DRC failed
to comply in a timely manner with the requirements. Hence,
before port entry, the USCG must now inspect all ships that
have visited any DRC port within five ports. The American
company Seabord/Midema told Econoff that additional security
will cost it $1500 per day per ship, plus the cost of delay
during pre-entry inspection. Econoff has advised the GDRC
that, if it does not achieve compliance within six months,
the USCG will completely prohibit the entry of ships that
have visited any DRC port within five ports.

DRC SAYS IT IS NEARLY IN COMPLIANCE
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3. (U) IMO and the DRC now state that the ports' currently
required compliance is complete but for administrative
details. However, the USCG has not yet suspended its
determination, because it does not have the necessary
confirmation from IMO. Econoff discussed the status of
compliance with IMO and DRC officials, including the DRC's
Director of Maritime Security, representatives from the
national police, customs and immigrations services, all
security officers from all ISPS-registered ports, and the
Bas-Congo provincial Vice Governor for Finance and Economy,
during Emboffs' visit to the Port of Matadi June 2-3. There
is visible progress in Matadi, the DRC's primary port; ONATRA
has installed access gates and appears to control strictly
the access into the primary security zone. Further, the IMO
says that the DRC's IMO representative has informed the
Washington, D.C.-based USCG representative of compliance
status.


4. (C) However, as of early June, the DRC had not submitted
port facility security plans for four of eight ports; the DRC
can withdraw these as designated international ports,
however. Further, an experienced Midema ship captain in
Matadi told Econoff that, although physical security
improvements have resulted in the exclusion of unapproved
persons at port and shipboard, port officials do not conduct
thorough security and health inspections, due to inadequate
training and lack of adequate communication. For example, he
stated that he was unable to reach the port facility security
officer upon entering the port, as the ISPS requires.

ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES REMAIN
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5. (U) Discussions with DRC officials and Econoffs' visit to
the port reveal that inadequate funding, poor inter- and
intra-ministerial communication and lack of adequate training
and equipment may hamper full upgrade completion. For
example, Econoff advised DRC's Budget, Plan and Finance
Ministries of the sanctions and of funding needs; they, like
ONATRA and the Transport Ministry, were unaware of the
sanctions and stated they did not know the amount ONATRA
needed to complete security upgrades. ONATRA is aware of its
general funding needs for continued upgrades, such as the
purchase of video monitoring equipment, but it is uncertain
how to obtain those funds from the appropriate ministries.
Port security officials are also unaware of all the precise
steps that remain to complete security upgrades. For example,
ONATRA did not understand that it had failed to send all
necessary information to IMO, although it did so after
Econoff advised of the USCG sanctions.


6. (SBU) To address these obstacles, the GDRC is taking steps
to form an inter-ministerial ISPS Commission, and is awaiting
a Presidential decree to proceed. Further, a South African
consultant is now working with port security officials,
although it is unclear if it is in an official capacity yet.
The consultant told the USCG that the advice that the DRC
received from the prior Belgian consultant is a European
security solution that would be difficult to implement and
maintain in the DRC.


7. (C) Post has encouraged the USCG to inspect the DRC's
ports to verify compliance and provide technical assistance
with continuing upgrades. The USCG is willing to visit, and
we are hoping for a visit no later than September. Post has
also suggested that ONATRA speak to a variety of DRC public
and private entities that may provide funding support.
Further, in May Post discussed the port security issue with
the World Bank (WB) Country Director for South-Central and
Great Lakes Africa regions, Pedro Alba. Alba said he is
interested in investigating the possibility of funding the
security upgrades. The WB has already provided the DRC funds
for general port infrastructure rehabilitation through its
Emergency Multisector Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Project. Further, the DRC states that South Africa and The
Netherlands have promised to provide video controls and
telecommunications tools for port security.

COMMENT
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8. (C) Although it is unclear if DRC's ports are currently in
compliance, it is evident that DRC officials now take this
issue seriously, though it is unfortunate that it required
sanctions to get attention at the ministerial level. (See
reftel B). Aside from a lack of funding, communication
appears to be the primary obstacle to the DRC's progress. In
particular, ONATRA management must better inform pertinent
internal actors, such as its port security officers, and more
effectively report to decision makers and funding ministries.
The creation of the ISPS Commission is a positive step.
Additionally, DRC port officials must more effectively
leverage the IMO representation so that the DRC and the USCG
have accurate, current information. At least in the near
term, Post will need to continue to ensure that the relevant
officials remain informed and committed to continued port
security improvement.
MEECE