Advisory board formed for improved security in San Juan Bay
By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Joel Pizá Batiz announced on Wednesday the creation of the Port Security Advisory Board for the Bay of San Juan, with the aim of collecting information to issue, through regulation, best maritime security practices in the Port of San Juan in 2023.
“The entrance to San Juan Bay is one of Puerto Rico’s most critical infrastructures; as more than 80% of our imports pass through it, it is essential to ensure security and adequate maritime coordination in the Bay of San Juan,” Pizá Batiz said in a written statement.
The first regular meeting of the advisory board was held on Sept. 30. Pizá Batiz observed that, during the past few years, the role of Ports as coordinator of port access and promoter of best navigation practices through rules of general application has decreased substantially. That has led to the repeal of regulations for such purposes, which has generated disagreements between maritime operators and a lack of coordination in the Bay of San Juan.
Pizá Batiz said that in the coming weeks he will receive input from the U.S. Coast Guard, San Juan Bay pilots, tugboat companies and the Puerto Rico Maritime Association, among others.
The goal of the initiative is the drafting of a regulation in 2023 that will create better maritime security practices and operational coordination in San Juan Bay.
In fiscal year 2021-22 the Port of San Juan registered 1,385,673 containers, 7,917,288 tons of cargo, 266 cruise visits and 417,399 cruise passengers.