"We have asked the port authorities to take extra security measures after hearing the news of bomb blasts to prevent any untoward incidents in the shipping sector," Ahsan Ali, acting director general (DG) of shipping told The Daily Star last night.

But the department did not raise the security level according to International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code followed by shipping sectors worldwide during a tense situation near the port or in the country concerned.

After the August 17 countrywide blasts, the ISPS security level two was maintained in Chittagong and Mongla seaports for five days when everyone was checked before boarding a ship.

This time too, the security level should have been raised to level two, observe shipping experts.

The acting DG, however, said he did not feel the necessity to raise the ISPS security level in the present situation.

"We have asked the authorities to maintain stringent security measures following discussion with the technical experts and others concerned," he added.

Sources, however, said the security level was not raised due to the absence of Director General of Shipping Shafiqullah who is now on a visit to the UK.

"The acting DG could not understand the gravity of the situation," said a high official of the department, adding that the acting DG might have been convinced by the chairman of Chittagong Port Authority who is opposing a rise in the security level.

According to the ISPS code, security level one is maintained during normal situation. When the security situation is considered vulnerable, the security level is raised to two, taking extraordinary security measures including provision for everyone's getting checked before boarding a ship.

It is like orange alert in the shipping security system.

The highest security level in the ISPS code -- security level three, which is similar to red alert, is maintained when the situation goes beyond control. At that time a seaport is declared closed.