GAO VISITS TRINIDAD TO STUDY MARITIME ENERGY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000848

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AGAO EPET EWWT PINS TD
SUBJECT: GAO VISITS TRINIDAD TO STUDY MARITIME ENERGY
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (GAO JOB CODE 440406)

REF: STATE 89839

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (U) SUMMARY: Officials from the U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO),Homeland Security and
Justice Team, visited Trinidad June 19-23 to observe
the security of energy transport infrastructure into
the United States. Through meetings with ministry
officials, including the T&T Coast Guard as maritime
security designating authority, and visits to a
liquefied natural gas export facility and an
industrial port, Trinidad and Tobago showed commitment
to ensuring maritime security standards to the best of
its ability. Each interlocutor indicated the need for
more support, either from the GOTT or in terms of
resources. GAO officials expressed satisfaction with
the visit, as it will likely be the team's only
exposure to the export step of U.S.-bound energy
transport systems. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Steven Calvo, Assistant Director, and Jonathan
Bachman, Senior Analyst, in the Homeland Security and
Justice Team at the U.S. Government Accountability
Office (GAO),visited Trinidad June 19-23 for meetings
with senior GOTT officials, briefings with USG
agencies, and visits to port and oil export facilities
on the island. The focus of the GAO mission was to
fulfill a Congressional request to evaluate the
security of energy transport infrastructure into the
United States. Having already visited stateside
energy (oil, liquefied natural gas, etc.) importation
facilities and consulted with international shipping
and insurance organizations, the Trinidad visit
represented the remaining step in the energy transport
lifecycle -- the export stage. In this environment,
the International Ship and Port Facility Security
(ISPS) Code, part of the International Convention for
the Safety of Life at Seas (SOLAS) within the
International Maritime Organization, governs security
requirements. For countries that are party to SOLAS,
the ISPS Code is a self-certifying regulatory protocol
that sets security measures for ships and port
facilities.

IN COMPLIANCE WITH ISPS?
--------------


3. (U) In a visit to Atlantic LNG, whose exports
provide up to 70 percent of the U.S. consumption of
liquefied natural gas (LNG),GAO officials toured the
facility, noting security measures in place throughout
the site. In addition to layers of security for
entrance to the compound, more stringent security
measures surrounded the actual pier and ship-interface
position. When queried, Atlantic LNG officials
replied that the July 1, 2004, ISPS Code compliance
deadline was the catalyst for many of the present
security measures, adding that security had not been
such a high priority beforehand. Recognizing the
necessity of such security features and the
significant export relationship with the U.S. energy
market, Atlantic LNG officials seemed committed to
maintaining the facility's ISPS compliance.


4. (SBU) By contrast, a visit to Point Lisas -- an
industrial port with container, energy, and
manufacturing import and export piers -- showcased
compliance of a different sort. Point Lisas
Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (PLIPDECO)
officials also stated their commitment to port
security and their compliance with the ISPS code.
However, a tour of the industrial estate, the largest
in Trinidad and Tobago, showed potential laps in
security measures. (Note: GAO officials did not have
an opportunity to tour the energy-export pier, which
appeared to have more enhanced security measures than
the other commercial piers on the site.)

GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS
--------------


5. (U) Ministry of National Security and Coast Guard
officials all emphasized that the government drafted
and enacted laws governing maritime security so that
Trinidad and Tobago would be in compliance with the
ISPS Code prior to July 1, 2004. As the Designating
Authority for the ISPS Code, the TT Coast Guard
created a Port Security Unit to focus command and
control of maritime port security. Both PLIPDECO and

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Atlantic LNG officials spoke of the strong working
relationship that each has with the inspectors from
the TT Coast Guard's Port Security Unit assigned to
the facility. Both commercial entities mentioned
positively the TT Coast Guard official's on-site
presence several days a week.


6. (SBU) All interlocutors indicated that they were
always seeking more assistance or more ways to enhance
security. Atlantic LNG officials admitted that their
facility was most vulnerable on the waterside of the
operations and wished for more visible Coast Guard
presence. They noted, however, that there were no
specific security threats currently and felt confident
that the Coast Guard and other authorities would
respond immediately if needed. For the Coast Guard's
part, it was a quest for more resources, both staff
and equipment, to better provide surveillance and
patrols and other defense operations. (Note: The
Coast Guard is the only water-borne service in the T&T
military.)


7. (SBU) COMMENT: GAO officials found the visit
highly informative and took care to thank all
interlocutors for sharing their insights and
experiences with ISPS Code requirements. Trinidad
showed that its commitment to security protocols was
as much in action as in word, even while acknowledging
the ongoing need for improvement. Business and
government officials realize that beyond the necessity
of the security measures for continued trade with the
United States, there is also the local security
benefit and the enhanced marketability of the
country's resources and facilities to others. END
COMMENT.


8. (U) Jonathan Bachman cleared this cable for GAO.

SWEENEY