Cape Town — South African container ports that fail to meet requirements of the International Shipping and Ports Security Code by July 1 could find themselves without insurance protection, a global insurance provider has warned.

This comes amid fear that not all the world's major ports will enact adequate counter-terrorism measures and an approved security plan before the deadline.

Nick Sansom, principal officer for Asian international insurer TT Club, said ships that docked at "insecure ports" could be blacklisted and barred from entering the US.

The biggest headache for Cape Town would be the traffic congestion caused when the number of entry points to the harbour is reduced from 23 to three.

Tony Robinson of the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that if a South African port failed to attain standards, it could be declared "contaminated and virtually isolated from world trade ".

Compliance with the code gives a port operator a strong defence against allegations of negligence in the event of a terror strike.

An uncertified port operator could find itself guilty of contributory negligence should it become the target of a terrorist attack.