22 January 2004

With ISPS Code implementation now only months away, TT Club has undertaken an education and information programme for its existing and prospective members in Venezuela. Responding to keen local interest, TT Club and its strategic partner, international port security consultant Hudson Trident, has recently (early December) hosted two seminars in Caracas and Puerto Cabello to give local port facility operators a clear understanding of the implications of the Code.

The seminars were organised in cooperation with local lawyers Sabatino Pizzolante and insurance broker Panamericana Venezuelana, whose links with TT Club stretch back over 30 years. The Club's London-based loss prevention manager, Andrew Webster, together with a strong leadership team from Hudson Trident including chief executive officer Per Christensen, also held talks with Venezuela's national maritime university regarding links on a number of training projects in the country. The visit was arranged as part of TT's continuing commitment to providing high quality products and services to its members through its risk management team.

"The facility operators in Venezuela clearly intend to be in the forefront in terms of compliance with the Code," said Mr Webster. "We saw excellent attendances in both Caracas and Puerto Cabello and generated strong interest in the ISPS Code audit programme, as well as our other loss prevention and claims management services."

Mr Webster revealed that an innovative "bundled audit" proposal has been made to the main port facility operators in Puerto Cabello and La Guaria, the primary port serving the capital, Caracas.

"We are optimistic that almost a dozen operators of container and general cargo facilities will take advantage of this offer," he said. "We are helping the local port community to get access to this vital service at a competitive cost."

"Overseas trade, especially with the United States, is crucial for the health of Venezuela's economy and therefore the welfare of its people," Mr Webster continued. "ISPS Code audit and certification by 1st July 2004 is essential to avoid a severe disruption of the country's ports."

The TT Club also disclosed that talks have been held with Venezuela's oil terminals regarding their participation in the audit and certification programme. Venezuela is the world's fifth largest oil exporter shipping 2.1 million barrels per day, much of it to the US.

ENDSAbout TT Club

The TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry's leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. Established in 1968, the Club's membership comprises ship operators, ports and terminals, road, rail and airfreight operators, logistics companies and container lessors. As a mutual insurer, the Club exists to provide its policyholders with industry-leading benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

A full archive of all TT Club news releases and photographs is available from the ISIS Communications Press Room at www.isiscomms.com