Call for Members of New Seaport Environmental Security Network

Illegal shipments of environmentally sensitive commodities such as hazardous wastes, end-of-life products, and wildlife pose a worldwide threat. These shipments impair public health and the environment, frustrate sustainable development, fuel criminal organizations, and encourage unfair economic benefits and trade practices. Most of these shipments travel to and from countries via seaports.

There is a strong international recognition that efforts must be taken to improve seaport security, as was reflected in a workshop discussion on this issue at the 2005 INECE Conference in Marrakech, Morocco. Recent high profile developments lend even greater urgency to the task.

In August 2006, over 400 tons of toxic wastes were dumped in residential areas of the port city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. A devastating environmental crisis followed, leading to 15 deaths, thousands of illnesses, and a breakdown of the local economy. In Europe, two EU IMPEL-Seaport pilot projects have detected a substantial amount of false documentation about the nature of wastes flowing through European ports and about the destinations of these wastes. Concerns exist about imports of environmentally sensitive commodities arriving at ports without prior informed consent or other forms of control, as well as exports of commodities that do not comply with the environmental standards of the country of destination.

This crisis is largely the result of lack of cooperation between port officials, enforcement ministries, and customs agencies; lack of information sharing; and lack of awareness of the devastation that these illegal shipments can bring. In response, INECE is taking steps to facilitate capacity building and compliance cooperation on this vital subject through the development of a Seaport Environmental Security Network. This informal network will link officials around the world in order to:

• Coordinate action and information sharing between national focal points of contact;
• Build capacity to address these issues through the development and dissemination of toolkits and training materials;
• Demonstrate best practices through port pilot projects, workshops, and other activities; and
• Facilitate joint cooperation on enforcement cases across seaports.

The strength of this Network will require active participation from a broad geographical array of countries with international ports.

Recruiting key participants is critical to success. We are seeking experienced, mid-level staff members of government bodies who have the interest and knowledge to become an effective participant in matters relating to seaport security. We ask the readers of this Newsletter to identify a possible candidate in your country who meets these qualifications:

• Willingness and availability to be an active contributor to the network;
• Knowledge of the country’s import-export notification process for wildlife and/or dangerous substances, and the control and enforcement thereof;
• Familiarity with the country’s port operations;
• Awareness of the range of other agencies (for example, coast guard ministries) that exercise jurisdiction at or near ports; and
• Knowledge of the country’s past experience with illegal imports and trafficking in environmentally controlled substances and materials.

Please send information about potential candidates for membership in the Seaport Security Network to inece at inece.org, copying Henk Ruessink, Henk.Ruessink at minvrom.nl and Bob Heiss, heiss.robert at epa.gov.