Contracting Governments to the SOLAS Convention can establish Designated Authorities within Government which are responsible for maritime security. The Designated Authority sets the appropriate security level, verifies compliance of port facilities, approves port facility security assessments and plans, and is responsible for testing the effectiveness of the port facility security plans and the security measures outlined therein.
The training course was attending by 27 officials representing the Designated Authorities from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It was funded by the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom.