Adherence to ISPS Code
The ISPS Code (International Ship & Port Facility Security Code) was adopted by the IMO in December 2002 and became mandatory from 1st July 2004.
The objectives of the code are:
- To establish an International framework involving co-operation between Contracting Governments, Government Agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries to detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting, or port facilities used in international trade.
- To establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Governments, Government Agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries at the national and international level, for ensuring maritime security.
- To ensure the early and efficient collection and exchange of security related information.
- To provide a methodology for security assessments, so as to have in place plans and procedures to react to changing security levels.
- To ensure confidence that adequate and proportionate maritime security measures are in place.
In order to meet the above objectives, the SCI has a security policy signed by the Chairman & Managing Director, which aims to 'provide safe & secure ships for its crew, passengers and cargoes whilst at sea and ports all over the world'.
SCI is committed to the following objectives to fulfill the requirements of its security policy:
- Security of its ships and their crew, passengers and cargo
- Support to its ships in implementing and maintaining the Ship Security Plan.
The ISPS Cell headed by the Company Security Officer (CSO) monitors the security aspects of the ships and ensures that:
- The Ships Security Assessment (SSA) of every ship of the fleet is carried out.
- Based on the SSA the Ship Security Plan (SSP) is developed for each ship.
- The SSP so developed is scrutinized and approved by the Flag Administration.
- The Flag Administration approved SSP is placed onboard and implemented effectively.
- After implementation the security, internal and external audits are carried out, shortcomings if any are rectified and the statutory certificates (ISSC & CSR) are issued and connected onboard.
- The annual internal audits are carried out along with the ISM audits, for checking the continuous effectiveness of the SSP and the deficiencies/non conformities identified are rectified.
- Reviews of security activities are carried out and the SSPs are modified if required.
- The security information available from all sources is collected, and relevant ones are sent to the ships and operating departments for increasing the security awareness of all concerned.
- Concerned personnel from the ship and office undergo necessary training.
- Consistency between safety requirements and security requirements is maintained.
- Necessary security drills and exercises are carried out.
- The 24-hour contact number of the CSO is available to all the ships for security related communication, which happens to be 9820311414.
A special cell in the Director General of Shipping has been created for round-the-clock monitoring of security alerts from the ships and security related communication and Gulf of Aden Piracy threats.
Maritime Security Policy
It is the aim of the Maritime Security Policy of the SCI to 'provide safe and secure ships for its crew, passengers and cargoes whilst at sea and at ports all over the world'.
In order to fulfill the aim of this maritime security policy, the SCI is committed to the following objectives:
- Security of its ships and their crew, passengers and cargo
- Support to its ships in implementing and maintaining the Ship Security Plan.
In order to achieve these objectives, the SCI shall:
- Conduct Ship Security Assessments on its ships
- Establish safeguards against all identified unlawful acts
- Designate trained Company Security Officers and Ship Security Officers
- Establish procedures for shipboard security emergencies
- Comply with mandatory rules and regulations
- Establish and promote a security culture in the fleet
- Keep abreast of developments on maritime security and disseminate relevant information to its ships
Safety, Occupational Health & Environment Protection Policy
It is the aim of the Safety Management System of the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.(SCI) to :
‘Preserve Safety of Ships and Personnel at Sea and Protect the Environment.’
In order to fulfill the aim, the SCI is committed to the following objectives:
- To prevent injury and loss of life
- To avoid damage to the environment
- To avoid damage to property
To achieve these objectives the SCI, through its Safety, Occupational Health & Environment Protection Policy, shall:
- Endeavour to continuously improve safety management skills of personnel ashore and onboard ships
- Establish procedures for shipboard emergencies
- Establish safe working practices onboard ships by posting suitably trained Safety Officers
- Provide a healthy and safe working environment
- Provide necessary resources to implement Occupational Health and Safety Programme and ensure that safety management team onboard is effective
- Assess all identified risks to its ships, personnel and environment by risk assessment method and establish appropriate safeguards.
- Comply with mandatory rules and regulations
- Take into account the applicable industry codes, guidelines and standards recommended by the International Maritime Organization, Administrations, Classification Societies and Maritime Industry Organizations.
- Ensure effective management review in its shore office at regular intervals
SCI’s Integrated Management System
SCI has been awarded the IMS (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018) certification across its establishment and fleet.
The scope of IMS certification includes Owning, Managing and Chartering of ships for transportation of Goods and Passengers, Offshore and Marine Advisory Services, Maritime Training Services and Port/Terminal Operations Management.
IMS is internationally recognized as an assurance to customers and stakeholders about delivering high quality, responsible and consistent results over time.
