The ISPS Code was adopted by one of the resolutions that were adopted on 12 December 2002 by the Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (London, 9 to 13 December 2002). Another resolution also includes the necessary amendments to chapters V and XI of SOLAS by which compliance with the Code will become mandatory on 1 July 2004. The existing chapter XI of SOLAS was amended and re-identified as chapter XI-1 and a new chapter XI-2 was adopted on special measures to enhance maritime security. Parts A and B of the ISPS Code are, respectively, the mandatory requirements regarding the provisions of chapter XI-2 of SOLAS, 1974, as amended, and guidance regarding the provisions of chapter XI-2 of SOLAS, 1974, as amended, and part A of the Code. Copies of the ISPS Code and amendments to SOLAS can be purchased from the IMO webiste at at http://www.imo.org/home.asp