BALTIMORE – Coast Guard Sector Baltimore hosted four Argentinean Coast Guard representatives as part of a reciprocal visit under the International Port Security Program, Tuesday.
The visit included tours of facilities in the Port of Baltimore that handle cruise ships and passenger operations.
The delegates were also given a briefing on Sector Baltimore’s operations, the sector’s area of responsibility and their implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act in the Port of Baltimore.
The IPS program is designed to show international trading partners, like Argentina, how the U.S. has implemented International Ship and Port Facility Code regulations in U.S. ports and port facilities throughout the country, as well as cultivate a bilateral exchange of information and alignment of security practices with foreign ports.
During the visits, the Coast Guard discussed the effectiveness of the country’s approval process for port facility and vessel security assessments and plans required under the international code. Furthermore, the Coast Guard provided technical assistance and shared information about best practices used throughout the U.S.
This program is an effort within the Department of Homeland Security to develop and enhance international partnerships in order to create a more secure global shipping community.
