News / Cooperation24 November, 2004 The First National Seminar on Maritime Security was held in St. Petersburg on November 23-24, 2004
 The purpose of the seminar was to summarize the results of the work under the new international maritime security standards and also to exchange the acquired experience.
Besides, it aimed at developing jointly a guidance to optimize the implementation of the new international requirements in the Russian Federation which came into force since July 1, 2004 and at informing the seminar participants about the latest IMO steps in maritime security.
An exposition devoted to the latest and sophisticated Russian technical achievements in port and ship security was organized during the seminar.
The seminar was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport, the Federal Transport Surveillance Service, the Russian Federal Security Service, the St. Petersburg administration, SOROSS, ASOP, specialists from Russian maritime/river ports and terminals, specialists from shipping, stevedoring, agent and crewing companies, specialists classification committees and maritime units security expert organizations, from Russian security officers training centers, from Maritime Academy of California.
Such events are of great importance to the concept of national and international maritime units security requirements realization in Russia. The Seminar was opened by V. Ruksha, Chief of the Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport.
 The seminar pointed out that the main task of the IMO Member States implementing the ISPS Code is to prevent terrorist attacks at sea transport, build new obstacles to piracy and armed robberies at sea and to illegal drug, passengers and cargo transportation.
Russia has fulfilled its obligation in maritime security to achieve the goal. International Security Certificates were issued to 1370 ships. 153 ports security plans were adopted and submitted to IMO. More than 4500 maritime security officers were trained.
In general Russian maritime authorities and owners contributed much to implement the ISPS requirements and to train ship crews and the officers responsible for security of maritime units. First experience in operating under the new conditions was acquired and it is considered quite positive. The competence of the Russian specialists responsible for implementation of the new international maritime security standards has been recognized and highly estimated all over the world.
Meanwhile the participants of the seminar highlight a number of questions requiring operative solutions and additional amendments.
 With regard of stepping up the efficiency of further actions the seminar participants developed the necessary guidance outlined in the seminar resolution.
Recognizing the seminar doubtless benefits the participants suggest that National Seminars on maritime security would be held regularly. Further consideration is left to suggest the CIS partners such seminars at an international level.
In conclusion the seminar participants showed their great appreciation to the organizers - Maritime Security Service of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and State Maritime Academy of Makarov, St. Petersburg, - for the perfect organization of the seminar, and also the "Transport security and technologies" magazine staff for their support in information and organizing the exposition of the safety and security technical devices and systems. | 
