P.R. Laws tit. 23, § 3222
Maintaining maritime transport routes open is a survival requirement for the People of Puerto Rico. The possible use of the seas of Puerto Rico and of the vessels and port facilities therein in order to carry out acts of terrorism, or as a target thereof, is a risk that demands urgent attention. The security of the citizens and of trade — especially in the context of the terrorism threat — is of such importance that implementing security models in the port areas must be a priority for the authorities responsible for this segment of the infrastructure. Due to the challenge that the increasing maritime and containers traffic poses to the Island, one of the primary aims of the Government of Puerto Rico is establishing the minimum elements needed for ensuring the health and security of Puerto Ricans, safeguarding the large capital investment made in the ports, and protecting the public benefit that the good operations of trade and economy entails.
The Interagency Agreement for Implementing the Automated Cargo and Merchandise Control System established among the Department of State, the Ports Authority, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Puerto Rico Police and the Office of Management and Budget was formalized on August 2, 2007. The purpose of this agreement is to integrate the efforts among these agencies to avoid illegal weapons and drug trafficking in our seaports and airports, as well as any other illegal aspect.
The agreement also has the aim of locating resources for acquiring automated systems suitable for customs. The name of the software is Automated Customs System (ASYCUDA or SIDUNEA, Spanish acronym), which is a computerized system tool for the management and control of customs procedures developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. All the agencies involved in this agreement shall participate economically and with resources so that it may be implemented.
Therefore, the public policy of the Commonwealth is:
(a) That the maritime ports of Puerto Rico shall comply with all the federal provisions described in the Maritime Transportation Security Act, and its international equivalent, the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), on or before January 1, 2009.
(b) Recognizing the Inter-Agency Agreement for Implementing the Automated Cargo and Merchandise Control System of August 2, 2007.
(c) That on or before October 1, 2008, the Ports Authority shall implement a fast track evaluation model for the goods entering the Island by sea, this date being deferrable by the agencies participating in the Interagency Agreement.
(d) That the measures taken to oversee maritime security are designed so as to limit delays in the fast flow of the cargo to a minimum.
History —Feb. 18, 2008, No. 12, § 2.