VZCZCXRO0832
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0848/01 1981421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171421Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7109
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3601
RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000848 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AGAO EPET EWWT PINS TD
SUBJECT: GAO VISITS TRINIDAD TO STUDY MARITIME ENERGY 
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (GAO JOB CODE 440406) 
 
REF: STATE 89839 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  Officials from the U.S. Government 
Accountability Office (GAO), Homeland Security and 
Justice Team, visited Trinidad June 19-23 to observe 
the security of energy transport infrastructure into 
the United States.  Through meetings with ministry 
officials, including the T&T Coast Guard as maritime 
security designating authority, and visits to a 
liquefied natural gas export facility and an 
industrial port, Trinidad and Tobago showed commitment 
to ensuring maritime security standards to the best of 
its ability.  Each interlocutor indicated the need for 
more support, either from the GOTT or in terms of 
resources.  GAO officials expressed satisfaction with 
the visit, as it will likely be the team's only 
exposure to the export step of U.S.-bound energy 
transport systems.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U) Steven Calvo, Assistant Director, and Jonathan 
Bachman, Senior Analyst, in the Homeland Security and 
Justice Team at the U.S. Government Accountability 
Office (GAO), visited Trinidad June 19-23 for meetings 
with senior GOTT officials, briefings with USG 
agencies, and visits to port and oil export facilities 
on the island.  The focus of the GAO mission was to 
fulfill a Congressional request to evaluate the 
security of energy transport infrastructure into the 
United States.  Having already visited stateside 
energy (oil, liquefied natural gas, etc.) importation 
facilities and consulted with international shipping 
and insurance organizations, the Trinidad visit 
represented the remaining step in the energy transport 
lifecycle -- the export stage.  In this environment, 
the International Ship and Port Facility Security 
(ISPS) Code, part of the International Convention for 
the Safety of Life at Seas (SOLAS) within the 
International Maritime Organization, governs security 
requirements.  For countries that are party to SOLAS, 
the ISPS Code is a self-certifying regulatory protocol 
that sets security measures for ships and port 
facilities. 
 
IN COMPLIANCE WITH ISPS? 
------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (U) In a visit to Atlantic LNG, whose exports 
provide up to 70 percent of the U.S. consumption of 
liquefied natural gas (LNG), GAO officials toured the 
facility, noting security measures in place throughout 
the site.  In addition to layers of security for 
entrance to the compound, more stringent security 
measures surrounded the actual pier and ship-interface 
position.  When queried, Atlantic LNG officials 
replied that the July 1, 2004, ISPS Code compliance 
deadline was the catalyst for many of the present 
security measures, adding that security had not been 
such a high priority beforehand.  Recognizing the 
necessity of such security features and the 
significant export relationship with the U.S. energy 
market, Atlantic LNG officials seemed committed to 
maintaining the facility's ISPS compliance. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) By contrast, a visit to Point Lisas -- an 
industrial port with container, energy, and 
manufacturing import and export piers -- showcased 
compliance of a different sort.  Point Lisas 
Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (PLIPDECO) 
officials also stated their commitment to port 
security and their compliance with the ISPS code. 
However, a tour of the industrial estate, the largest 
in Trinidad and Tobago, showed potential laps in 
security measures.  (Note:  GAO officials did not have 
an opportunity to tour the energy-export pier, which 
appeared to have more enhanced security measures than 
the other commercial piers on the site.) 
 
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Ministry of National Security and Coast Guard 
officials all emphasized that the government drafted 
and enacted laws governing maritime security so that 
Trinidad and Tobago would be in compliance with the 
ISPS Code prior to July 1, 2004.  As the Designating 
Authority for the ISPS Code, the TT Coast Guard 
created a Port Security Unit to focus command and 
control of maritime port security.  Both PLIPDECO and 
 
PORT OF SP 00000848  002 OF 002 
 
 
Atlantic LNG officials spoke of the strong working 
relationship that each has with the inspectors from 
the TT Coast Guard's Port Security Unit assigned to 
the facility.  Both commercial entities mentioned 
positively the TT Coast Guard official's on-site 
presence several days a week. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) All interlocutors indicated that they were 
always seeking more assistance or more ways to enhance 
security.  Atlantic LNG officials admitted that their 
facility was most vulnerable on the waterside of the 
operations and wished for more visible Coast Guard 
presence.  They noted, however, that there were no 
specific security threats currently and felt confident 
that the Coast Guard and other authorities would 
respond immediately if needed.  For the Coast Guard's 
part, it was a quest for more resources, both staff 
and equipment, to better provide surveillance and 
patrols and other defense operations.  (Note:  The 
Coast Guard is the only water-borne service in the T&T 
military.) 
 
¶7.  (SBU) COMMENT:  GAO officials found the visit 
highly informative and took care to thank all 
interlocutors for sharing their insights and 
experiences with ISPS Code requirements.  Trinidad 
showed that its commitment to security protocols was 
as much in action as in word, even while acknowledging 
the ongoing need for improvement.  Business and 
government officials realize that beyond the necessity 
of the security measures for continued trade with the 
United States, there is also the local security 
benefit and the enhanced marketability of the 
country's resources and facilities to others.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
¶8.  (U) Jonathan Bachman cleared this cable for GAO. 
 
SWEENEY