Cook Strait ferry services to develop anti-terror plans

A government counter-terrorism team is to look at security arrangements for Cook Strait ferry services.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven today said ports and international shipping firms had already developed security plans and procedures in 2004 in line with international regulations.

However at that time it was not deemed necessary for the domestic ferries to do the same due to the low level of threat.

That threat remained low, but the Government had now decided the planning was worthwhile so the shipping and port companies were already prepared if a threat developed.

International standards require ports and ships to undertake security risk assessments.

A team from the Transport Ministry would work with the shipping and port companies to develop plans.

Mr Duynhoven said there would be no difference to the service passengers received unless there was some kind of threat.

In that event the new procedures would swing into action.

- NZPA