U.S. Coast Guard photo
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SINGAPORE — A Coast Guard International Port Security team completed a bilateral engagement with Thailand officials in November.
This engagement involved a capacity building workshop with the Thailand’s Marine Department Harbour Masters and senior leadership on the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code Implementation.
“Every port stakeholder in every country has security responsibilities in our interconnected global economy. The USCG appreciates Thailand’s invitation and their commitment and efforts to improve port security,” said Lt. Cmdr. Darain Kawamoto, liaison officer at Coast Guard Activities Far East Division.
According to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. goods imports from Thailand totaled $28 billion in 2015. The five largest import categories were electrical machinery, machinery, rubber, precious stones, and prepared meat and Fish (tuna and shrimp). The U.S. is the biggest consumer of Thai fish, and pet food is among the fastest growing imports from Thailand. Additionally, in 2015, the U.S. exported more than $11 billion of goods to Thailand.
In 2003, the Coast Guard developed the International Port Security Program to reinforce the implementation of the ISPS Code. Thailand became signatory to the ISPS Code in 2004. The International Port Security Program seeks to reduce risk to U.S. maritime interests, including U.S. ports and ships, and to facilitate secure maritime trade globally.
Under the auspices of this program, a Coast Guard International Port Security team conducts an annual visit to assess the effectiveness of seaport anti-terrorism measures and provides recommendations to government officials to reduce the risk of a maritime security incidents and impacts to the global supply chain. The International Port Security Program is designed to assist seaports in overcoming security challenges in a dynamic and ever changing threat environment.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Coast Guard’s Activities Far East unit coordinates with over 40 countries to execute these bilateral engagements. The Coast Guard is committed to promoting and facilitating safe and secure maritime trade.