Ukrainian ports raise security level
By JOHN C.K. DALY
UPI International Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- On Dec. 29 Ukrainian maritime authorities in Odessa set the port's Maritime Security (MARSEC) status at Level 2. The reason for the action is unknown. Odessa is Ukraine's fifth-largest city and its most important trade entrepot.
The United Nations International Maritime Organization's International Ship & Port Facility Security Code contains three levels of maritime security.
At Level 1 the designated port and ships operate under normal parameters.
Under MARSEC, Level 2 increased security measures will apply for as long as authorities assess that there is a heightened risk of a security incident.
MARSEC Level 3 regulations are enforced for the period of time when authorities determine that there is a probable or imminent risk of a security incident.
The Marine Safety Environmental Protection Department based in Monaco reports that ships making port calls in Odessa are required to act upon MARSEC level 2 security regulations and take additional security measures on board the vessel prior to and during its visit to the port.
The alert could be related to terrorism, health issues or the ongoing dispute with Russia over natural gas prices.
Last month health authorities in Odessa confirmed a swine case of Siberian plague. On Dec. 26, the Ministry for Emergency Situations reported that a piglet had died in an Ivanovka Raion village. The next day the regional veterinary laboratory confirmed diagnosis of Siberian plague in the dead animal. After cremating the carcass, local sanitary and epidemiological specialists undertook anti-epidemic measures to contain the infection. In December Ukrainian health authorities also confirmed cases of bird flu in the country.
Terrorism and energy may also have caused the change in security status. Odessa's oil processing facilities and Yuzhny oil port are now an internationally important oil terminal for transporting Russian hydrocrabons to Europe, connected to the European Union's networks by strategic pipelines. As the pipelines transport Russian gas and oil, Chechen militants might be considering targeting them.
Ukrainian authorities gave no reason for the security upgrade
UPI International Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- On Dec. 29 Ukrainian maritime authorities in Odessa set the port's Maritime Security (MARSEC) status at Level 2. The reason for the action is unknown. Odessa is Ukraine's fifth-largest city and its most important trade entrepot.
The United Nations International Maritime Organization's International Ship & Port Facility Security Code contains three levels of maritime security.
At Level 1 the designated port and ships operate under normal parameters.
Under MARSEC, Level 2 increased security measures will apply for as long as authorities assess that there is a heightened risk of a security incident.
MARSEC Level 3 regulations are enforced for the period of time when authorities determine that there is a probable or imminent risk of a security incident.
The Marine Safety Environmental Protection Department based in Monaco reports that ships making port calls in Odessa are required to act upon MARSEC level 2 security regulations and take additional security measures on board the vessel prior to and during its visit to the port.
The alert could be related to terrorism, health issues or the ongoing dispute with Russia over natural gas prices.
Last month health authorities in Odessa confirmed a swine case of Siberian plague. On Dec. 26, the Ministry for Emergency Situations reported that a piglet had died in an Ivanovka Raion village. The next day the regional veterinary laboratory confirmed diagnosis of Siberian plague in the dead animal. After cremating the carcass, local sanitary and epidemiological specialists undertook anti-epidemic measures to contain the infection. In December Ukrainian health authorities also confirmed cases of bird flu in the country.
Terrorism and energy may also have caused the change in security status. Odessa's oil processing facilities and Yuzhny oil port are now an internationally important oil terminal for transporting Russian hydrocrabons to Europe, connected to the European Union's networks by strategic pipelines. As the pipelines transport Russian gas and oil, Chechen militants might be considering targeting them.
Ukrainian authorities gave no reason for the security upgrade
posted by Marko at 1/02/2006 05:58:00 PM
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