WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Coast Guard noted that the island nation meets the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code requirements and has effective security measures in their ports.
"Vessels arriving to the US are no longer required to employ additional security measures while in Cuban ports," the release stated.
The release added, however, that the immigration policies and travel restrictions on Cuba remain unchanged.
Relations between the United States and Cuba began to improve after Obama announced in December 2014 a historic change in the US policy to include loosening of the US congressionally mandated trade and travel embargo on Havana.
The two countries reopened embassies in their respective capitals in the summer of 2015, after more than 50 years of diplomatic non-engagement. Obama's trip to Cuba in March will become the first visit by a US president since 1928.
