Marine Security Advisory: 01/2012 - Increased Ship Security Levels for Republic of Korea Ports

March 7, 2012

MARITIME SECURITY ADVISORY: 01/2012

Subject: Increased Ship Security Levels for Republic of Korea Ports

Dear Shipowner/Operator/Master;

As noted in the attached press release, the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, intends to raise the security levels at certain ports from 19 to 28 March in preparation for and during the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.

The following ports will implement increased security levels during the dates indicated:

Ports: Sokcho, Donghae-Mookho and Jeju

LEVEL 2: From 19 to 28 March 2012

Ports: Incheon, Kyungin and Pyeongtaek-Dangjin

LEVEL 2: From 19 to 22 March 2012

Ports: Incheon, Kyungin and Pyeongtaek-Dangjin

LEVEL 3: From 23 to 28 March 2012

The press release mentions that all other 23 international ports, including Busan, will have heavier-than-usual security checks; however these ports intend to remain at security Level 1.

Masters of Liberian flagged vessels scheduled to call at ports in the Republic of Korea, during the dates noted above, shall ensure the security level of their vessels is the same level as that imposed at the port. Owners and operators are requested to provide a copy of this Advisory to their Masters.

For more information please contact the Security Department at telephone + 1 703 251 2435 email security@liscr.com; LISCR Duty Officer + 1 703 963 6216 email: dutyofficer@liscr.com

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ANNEX

Press Release of Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs

Vessel and port security tightened in preparation for the Nuclear Summit

Security levels applied to vessels and ports will be upgraded from seven days prior to the Summit

As one of the precautionary measures for the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, security levels applied to ports and vessels will be upgraded from March 19. This policy will be imposed on six international ports in Korea (Incheon, Kyungin, Pyeongtaek-Dangjin, Sokcho, Donghae-Mookho, and Jeju) and also on all the vessels entering these ports. Currently, the security level at international ports in Korea stays at Level One, the lowest grade, and this will be upgraded to either Level Two or Three in the days leading up to the Nuclear Summit.

* Pursuant to the ISPS Code and Article 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act for the Security of International Ships and Port Facilities, security levels range from Level One to Level Three with Three being the highest alert.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (Minister: Do-youp Kwon) stated that it decided to carry out this step in the port sector as precautions, taking the nation's security level up a notch in preparation for the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit being held in Seoul on March 26-27. The Summit is expected to draw attendance from heads of states and governments of about sixty countries and leaders of international organizations.

The Ministry mentioned that it devised various security measures to be applied to ports and vessels. As for port security, joint security inspections at various ports will be conducted in cooperation with other government agencies. With respect to vessel security, all the ships entering Korea's international ports will be subject to higher-than-usual security checks as the Ministry makes an effort to seal off its port areas from any breaches of security.

Starting from March 19, seven days prior to the Summit, all six ports mentioned above along with all ships entering the ports will be applied with an increased Level Two security grade. This security upgrade will be in place till March 28, the day after the closing of the Summit. Out of the six ports, three ports in particular (Incheon, Kyungin, and Pyeongtaek-Dangjin) will be imposed with Level Three during March 23-28 with maximum security measures. There are 23 other international ports, including the Busan Port, and they will be armed with heavier-than-usual security checks as well, while still maintaining their Level One security alert.

When a security level goes up from Level One to Two, the number of opened entrance doors on vessels and at ports is halved while the number of security personnel increases. Also, restrictions on hazardous goods from entering the country are more tightly imposed while international air passengers are required to endure longer-than-usual security procedures at airports.

At Level Three, the entrance door restrictions and the degree of security checks will become more thorough, while at ports and on vessels, offloading of cargoes will be limited. This time, however, in order not to disrupt any flow of cargoes during the Summit, these loading limitations on cargoes will be exempted from being applied at all the three ports set to be upgraded to Level Three. Therefore, the public's inconveniences will be at a minimum. In other words, the heavily guarded Level Three ports will experience no unwarranted disruptions.

The Ministry announced that as the highest security grade designated by international treaties will be applied to vessels and ports, some inconveniences are inevitably. However, it needs to be understood, the Ministry said, as a necessary step to successfully host the Nuclear Security Summit with flawless security, and asked for the public's cooperation on this matter. At the same time, until the Summit is successfully completed, close cooperation among government agencies related to security maintenance will be actively pursued, as the government prepares itself to fully manage any emergency situation adroitly.

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