Port security - ISPS

The Port of Hirtshals meet the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) standards of security of port facilities, cf. SOLAS chapter XI-2, the ISPS code's part A and B.

ISPS stands for "International Ship and Port Facility Security".

In Denmark, port security is implemented in accordance with declarations that is managed by the Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority, Maritime Security.

Current standards are:

• Declaration no. 1462 of November 30th 2016 concerning protection of port facilities
• Declaration no. 1461 of November 30th 2016 concerning protection of ports

The Port of Hirtshals has five permanent port facilities - also known as ISPS areas. Furthermore, the port has four on/off port facilities that can be set up as needed.

To have lawful access to ISPS areas it is required that a person has legitimate business. People that stay in the facilities must be able to identify oneself with reference to the ships' roster, the company's forwarded lists with employees or with an approved entry pass. Entry passes can be requested at the port control.

Since both the Port of Hirtshals and the legislation concerning ISPS is in continuing development, alterations of the ISPS areas at the port may be changed continuously. This means that it will be possible to observe physical changes of some of the port areas and people will experience a change of control and access to parts of the port.

In recent years, the standards for ISPS has been tightened both nationally and internationally. This means that the port will carry out on going physical adjustments, such as erection of fence and surveillance. Equivalent, tightening of the administration of the secured facilities and thereby the access to the facilities may also occur.

To ensure that the launched initiatives also work in practise, the Port of Hirtshals has set up "Committee for port security". The committee is compulsory and consists of representatives for security related users at the port and authorities.