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ABS Consulting Latin America Division Fulfills
Security Consultant Services for the Panamá Canal
September 22, 2004
(Houston, TX) The Latin America Division of ABSG Consulting
Inc. (ABS Consulting) successfully completed comprehensive
security assessments of 25 facilities necessary for the Panamá Canal
Authority (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá "ACP")
to fulfill implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security
Code (ISPS Code). The ACP is the autonomous entity of the Government of Panamá tasked
with the administration and operation of the Canal. The project concluded 27
May 2004, well before the July 2004 deadline.
Photograph courtesy of Autoridad
del Canal de Panamá "ACP"
Over the past two years, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (the
United Nations agency responsible for the safety of international shipping)
has moved swiftly to adopt wide-ranging measures for deterring possible terrorist
activities targeting ships and port facilities. To minimize risks associated
with the security of vessels of port facilities, the IMO adopted amendments
to the 1974 International Safety of Life at Seas Convention, which encompass
the ISPS Code in December 2002. Part A of the ISPS Code is mandatory and Part
B contains additional recommendations for guidance.
Ships from all parts of the world transit daily through
the Panamá Canal - 13,000
to 14,000 vessels use the Canal each year. As the most important government
activity and a major transit provider, the ACP mandated that the Panamá Canal
facility reach compliance with the ISPS Code to protect its assets and provide
security to the waterway. The ACP took a proactive approach by calling for the
implementation of international regulations (i.e. ISPS Code) in its services
with the aim of minimizing or, where possible, eliminating security threats
to people, operations, environment, functions, infrastructure, economic activities
and ships within the operating areas of the Panamá Canal.
Photograph courtesy of Autoridad
del Canal de Panamá "ACP"
ABS Consulting provided services that assisted the ACP's security program. The
basic scope of work provided by the ABS Consulting project team and tasks included
security assessment of the ACPs facilities, among other critical aspects associated
with conducting exercises to test the overall Security Plan.
The ABS Consulting project team's diligence and dedication
was readily apparent. ABS Consulting met the challenge by
using the best technical and management resources available.
An integrated team comprised of ABS Consulting and ACP personnel
completed the comprehensive work. As a result, the Assessment
Report and ACP Security Plan were completed on schedule and
within budget.
While achieving successful results for completing the assigned
tasks, ABS Consulting built a strong, close relationship
with the ACP's management and staff. The collaborative effort
by ACP and ABS Consulting enabled both groups to meet the
project's goals. The ACP provided ABS Consulting full and
unrestricted access to its facilities and personnel for the
purpose of conducting interviews, providing close-up examination
and review applicable materials to help reach project objectives.
The results of the work are expected to improve access control
measures, detection capabilities, and tactical readiness
of the ACP to thwart serious threats and enhance the security
posture of the Panamá Canal.
The Panamá Canal facility is one of the first installations
of the country and Latin America to complete the applicable
requirements to meet compliance with the ISPS Code. ABS Consulting
issued a certificate on 15 April 2004 to ACP confirming that
the Security Assessment and resulting Security Plan developed
for the ACP was prepared in accordance with the provisions
related to port facility security of the ISPS Code, adopted
by IMO on 12 December 2002. Alex Weisselberg, ABS Consulting
Vice President of the Latin America Division presented the
Certificate to the ACP's Administrator Alberto Alemán
Zubieta. "This certification is an illustration of the
commitment of the ACP to carry out in a safe way a work that
is vital for the economies of the world," Weisselberg
said.
"The security is one of the most important elements
for us and we maintain it with the highest standards thanks
to the teamwork and dedication of the Panamanian workers.
We are proud to have Panamá be one of the first in
obtaining this certification," said ACP Administrator
Alberto Alemán Zubieta.
"The security is an essential aspect for the Canal
and the compliance of these demanding requirements takes
us to our vision of being worldwide leaders in services to
the maritime industry, essential in the global transport
system," Alemán Zubieta added.
The execution of
the work scope provided by ABS Consulting creates an ongoing
relationship with the ACP. Both entities combined their
resources and knowledge in completing this important work
to support the Canal's mission of contributing to the country's
well-being and sustaining the Panamá Canal's
economic standing.
About the Autoridad del Canal de Panamá "ACP"
The
Panama Canal Authority is the autonomous agency of the Government
of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining
the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal
Authority is based on its organic law and the regulations
approved by its Board of Directors. For more information,
please refer to the Panama Canal Authority's Web site: www.pancanal.com.
About ABS Consulting
ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting) is a leading independent
global provider of risk management services, combining industry
specialists, risk modeling and practical engineering and
technology solutions to help business, finance, industry
and government manage risk. Through a comprehensive and integrated
risk management approach, ABS Consulting is committed to
help clients reduce business interruption and manage catastrophic,
operational, and security risks. ABS Consulting's headquarters
is located in Houston, Texas. (www.absconsulting.com)
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Rieansnider
Senior Marketing Communications Specialist - ABS Consulting
1-281-673-2948 | rrieansnider@absconsulting.com
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