Security risks continue to evolve, and so do the tools facilities use to manage them. That's why ACC recently released the fifth edition of its Responsible Care® Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Alternative Security Program (ASP) for eligible member facilities.
Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, the ASP allows participating facilities to meet MTSA security requirements through a single, integrated security program reflecting key concepts of ACC's Responsible Care® Security Code. For years, the ASP has helped facilities bring security planning, training, exercises, and response procedures together under one framework rather than managing multiple overlapping programs.
The fifth edition includes several updates, most notably the addition of a dedicated cybersecurity section and new provisions reflecting the Coast Guard's Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System regulations. The updated program also further integrates cybersecurity considerations into facility security assessments and risk management processes, recognizing that protecting facilities today requires attention to both physical and cyber threats.
At the same time, the ASP continues to emphasize the fundamentals of a strong security program: facility vulnerability assessments, employee training, drills and exercises, access controls, incident response, and continuous improvement.
The new edition reflects ACC's ongoing commitment to Responsible Care® and to providing members with practical tools that evolve alongside changing risks and regulatory requirements. By helping facilities address security through a coordinated, facility-wide approach, the ASP supports both preparedness and resiliency across the chemical supply chain.
