The US Coast Guard is enforcing new shipping regulations for boats arriving from the Dominican Republic at ports in the US. In a meeting between the Coast Guard, the US Embassy, shippers and Dominican military and naval authorities, officials from the United States revealed that ships from the Dominican Republic have not yet fulfilled the certification process required by the ISPS (International Code for Shipping and Ports), and, as a result, would be experiencing delays in their arrival at US ports of entry.
A team of officials from the US Coast Guard, specialized in port security, met with Navy Chief Euripedes Uribe Peguero, Port Authority director Arsenio Borges and other officials to press for compliance with the new security measures. Rear Admiral Harvey Johnson, the chief of the US Navy?s Seventh District, and Hans Hertell, the US ambassador, represented the US authorities at the talks. The DR?s private sector was represented by Jaak Rannik and Gustavo Taveras for the shippers; Elena Viyella de Paliza and Francisco Castillo for the National Council of Business (CONEP); and William Malamud for the American Chamber of Commerce.
Admiral Johnson said there has been a high incidence of stowaways on ships leaving Dominican ports, and, therefore, the country must apply the norms of the ISPS to all ships leaving Dominican ports for the United States. In fact, there are more stowaways from the Dominican Republic than from any other country in Latin America, according to Johnson. Payton Coleman, speaking for the Coast Guard, told the group that the authorities have problems with Dominican security and that the norms would be enforced ?aggressively, but fairly.?
Johnson reminded that the deadline for ISPS norms to be put into place was 1 July. After that date, Dominican ships will only be allowed to enter ports during daylight hours, which will bring added costs to shippers, if the ISPS norms are not met. Denied entry to a port is also possible.
At present time, ship captains emanating from Dominican ports are required to clarify how they will handle any cases of stowaways, and to submit a security declaration among other things.
While Admiral Johnson pointed out that the DR is a partner and an important ally in the fight against terrorism, he also stated: ?If terrorists feel that the Dominican Republic is an easy point from which to enter the US, they will do so? ?
Officials from the Dominican Port Authority have initiated an evaluation process of all ports in the country. The assessment of La Romana?s port is currently winding up, while Haina, Puerto Plata, Boca Chica and Santo Domingo are undergoing the process now. San Pedro and Barahona have only just begun their evaluations, and ports in Azua, Cabo Rojo and Samana are just starting to move. Trans-Dominicana in Manzanillo has been advised of the ISPS code of standards and the facilities at AES Andres and Caucedo have yet to submit their evaluations for approval.