DOMESTIC
AND INTERNATIONAL PORT SECURITY
PORT
SECURITY AT U.S. PORTS
The U.S. Customs Service has
several port security initiatives under way in the United States and
elsewhere to help ensure the security of cargo entering U.S. ports.
These initiatives include the following:
-
Inspecting containers and other cargoes.
Beginning in the summer of 2002, Customs deployed new mobile gamma
ray imaging devices at U.S. ports to help inspectors examine the
contents of cargo containers and vehicles. Customs has adapted
its computer-based system for targeting containers for inspection.
The system, originally designed for the agency's counter-narcotics
efforts, flags suspect shipments for inspection on the basis of
an analysis of shipping, intelligence, and law enforcement data,
which are also checked against criteria derived from inspectors
expertise. These new efforts have adjusted the system to better
target terrorist threats as well.
-
Working with the global trade community.
Customs has also engaged the trade community in a partnership
program to protect U.S. borders and international commerce from
acts of terrorism. In this recent initiative, U.S. importers (carriers
and other businesses) have entered into voluntary agreements with
Customs to enhance the security of their global supply chains
and those of their business partners. In return, Customs will
agree to expedite the clearance of the members' cargo at U.S.
ports of entry.
PORT
SECURITY AT FOREIGN PORTS
One of the U.S. Customs Service
port security initiatives is to prescreen cargo bound for the U.S.
at foreign ports. The U.S. stations inspectors at the foreign ports,
to relieve the bottleneck of inspections slowing traffic at U.S. ports.
The agency has reached agreement with the following nations:
The Coast Guard is working through
the International Maritime Organization to improve maritime port security
worldwide. It has proposed accelerated implementation of electronic
ship identification systems, ships and port security plans, and the
undertaking of port security assessments.
TIMEFRAME
FOR IMPLEMENTING PORT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
The Coast Guard began a comprehensive
assessment of port security conditions in 55 U.S.
ports. A detailed vulnerability assessments of port security at these
locations will be conducted over the next 3 years. The first four
assessments began in mid-August 2002.
On
June 4, 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the "Maritime
Transportation Anti-Terrorism Act Of 2002".
All vessels
built after December 31, 2002, must be equipped with a position indicating
transponder and an appropriate situation display for accessing the information
made available by the transponder system. After December 31, 2004, all
vessels built before December 31, 2002, must carry this equipment.
The Coast
Guard published a temporary interim rule in June 2002, and will publish
a final rule by November 2003.
On November
25, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Maritime Transportation
Security Act (MTSA) of 2002, Public Law 107-295, which contains several
provisions intended to protect America's maritime community against
the threat of terrorism without adversely affecting the flow of U.S.
commerce through our ports.
On December
13, 2002, IMO issued the International Ship and Port Facility Security
Code (ISPS Code). The Code contains detailed security-related requirements
for Governments, port authorities, and shipping companies in a mandatory
section (Part A), together with a series of guidelines about how to
meet these requirements in a second, non-mandatory section (Part B).
On July 22, 2003, the Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation conducted an oversight hearing on
the Coast Guard's July 1, 2003 interim final regulations on port security.
A few
closing thoughts from the maritime
port security specialists at WhisprWave®.
If you are interested
in developing a physical maritime port security plan for a military
base, a nuclear reactor, a fuel depot or other high value asset
that is vulnerable to attack from maritime based terrorists, give
WhisprWave® a call and let's talk about how we can help mitigate
your maritime risks that are keeping you up at night.
You
can contact WhisprWave®:
The team at WhisprWave® is confident
that we can help solve your marine security problems, don't hesitate
- CALL TODAY. WhisprWave® has the right port security technology
solution for you.
Why
| Leader
| Issues
| Stakeholders
| Domestic/Int'l
| Timeframe
| Implementation
|
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Brochure
908.233.7503
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Sea
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