The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced on September 3 that it will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving from the Republic of Suriname, citing concerns over ineffective antiterrorism measures at Surinamese ports. The policy will take effect on September 17, 2025.
The announcement, issued through Port Security Advisory PSA 4-25, applies to any vessel entering U.S. waters after visiting ports in Suriname. The move is part of a broader effort to protect U.S. ports from vessels arriving from foreign locations that the Coast Guard has found to have inadequate antiterrorism security.
With Suriname added, the list of countries with ports considered to have ineffective antiterrorism measures now includes Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Cuba, North Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Madagascar, Micronesia, Nauru, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Venezuela, and Yemen.
According to USCG, vessels visiting U.S. ports after calling at these locations must comply with specific security requirements:
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Implement measures per the vessel’s security plan equivalent to Security Level 2, as defined in the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, while in high-risk ports such as Suriname or the Federated States of Micronesia. Security Level 2 refers to heightened protective measures maintained due to an increased risk of a security incident.
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Ensure all access points to the vessel are guarded, with guards maintaining total visibility of both landside and waterside areas. Guards may be crew members or outside security forces approved by the vessel’s Master and Company Security Officer.
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Attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the high-risk port.
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Log all security actions in the vessel’s security records.
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Report actions taken to the cognizant Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) before arrival in U.S. waters.
Additionally, based on the findings of Coast Guard boarding or inspections, vessels may be required to deploy armed private security guards at each access point in U.S. ports, with guard numbers and positions approved by the COTP prior to arrival.
The Coast Guard said these measures are essential to maintaining the safety of U.S. ports and maritime operations.
