Free Republic

Unnoticed by most people outside the maritime industry, major new security measures came into effect last week for ships and seaports worldwide as part of the War on Terror. While airports and airlines have undergone extensive changes in security in response to 9/11, the world's 20,000 harbors and 55,000 ships had until July 1 to implement the new International Ship and Port Facility code. Designed by the International Maritime Organization at the urging of the United States, the ISPFS is meant to protect maritime facilities from terrorist attacks and from use as terrorist weapons. About 150 countries have signed on...