Port Workers

Port Security Program Gets Strong Response

According to Reuters, the TSA has received more than 1,000 documents of feedback on the new rules for workers entering domestic ports, which include fingerprinting and conducting background checks. In late April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, which included name-based background checks on nearly 400,000 port workers in the United States. The public was allowed 45 days to submit feedback on the next phase of the program, and the public comment period ended on July 6. TSA would collect workers' biographical information including 10 fingerprints, name, date of birth, address, phone number, alien registration number if applicable, photo, employer and job title. This will affect all people with unescorted access to port facilities and vessels, raising the number of workers subject to the security screening to up to 850,000 maritime port transportation workers. Some maritime industry sources pointed to the need for a delicate balance between tight security and high port efficiency, but they expressed two main concerns about the TWIC program. One is the efficiency of the biometric technology to be used for fingerprinting, and the other is a possible drop in port efficiency. Source: Reuters

DHS Publishes Port Security Proposal

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a detailed proposal of new rules aimed at preventing terrorist attacks on domestic ports. In late April, DHS implemented the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, which included name-based background checks on nearly 400,000 port workers in the United States. The initial checks were followed by a 275-page proposal detailing the program designed to deter people who pose a security threat from entering U

Australia's Waterways Security to be Boosted

According to The Age, increased security patrols around Melbourne Port and a 24-hour control center for the Yarra River feature in security and operational plans for Melbourne's waterways during next year's Commonwealth Games. Details have emerged as the Federal Government begins its race against the clock to complete security checks on port workers and users who need access to secure areas during the Games. The issuing of 140

Business As Usual At Manila Container Terminal

Operations resumed at the Manila International Container Terminal after striking workers cleared barricades preventing entry to the port, a senior Philippine official said. National Labor Relations Commission chief said the government asked the 90 striking workers of the International Container Terminal Services to clear the barricades on Thursday night and return to work because of the negative effect of the closure of the MICT on the economy.

Work Stoppage Closes Port of Oakland

Longshore workers kept the Port of Oakland, California shut for a second day Wednesday as union officials studied a wage and benefits offer. The Oakland work stoppage, which began Tuesday, was part of a campaign by West Coast longshore workers to press for concessions after their last contract expired on July 1. The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the management of West Coast ports in contract negotiations with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)

Programs for Seafarers Move to the Heart of the Port

This month, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) begins reopening its renovated International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark, N.J. In addition to a substantial hospitality center for the Port’s maritime workforce, the three-story building presents a new home for several important SCI programs, closely integrating them with the activity of the largest container terminal complex on the East Coast.  

Finnish Ports Get Back To Normal As Strike Ends

Traffic at Finnish ports and on the road was returning to normal Monday after a five-day strike by around 10,000 Finnish transport workers ended late March 2, officials said. However, further industrial action is looming, with stevedores still negotiating with employers while forestry industry workers have issued a notice for an April 11 strike. The stevedores, who stopped working to support the transport workers, had mostly returned to work

TWIC Enrollment Commences in New Orleans

Port and longshore workers, truckers and others at the Port of New Orleans are now able to enroll in the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The program's goal is to ensure that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a security threat. Nationwide, more than 1 million workers with unescorted access to secure areas will apply for TWIC

TSA – TWIC update

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an update to its status report on the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The TWIC Dashboard shows that (as of 31 October) 617,586 maritime workers have enrolled for a TWIC and that 405,699 cards have been activated. On Oct. 21, the government facility that houses the TWIC system experienced a building-wide power outage

US Longshoremen Protest Loss of Military Cargo Handling

International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) begins protest in Washington DC & Port of Charleston, South Carolina. Union longshore workers from many Atlantic Coast District Ports are joining forces outside the United States Marine Barracks in Washington, DC to protest the loss of handling military cargo at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.  Hundreds more members of the International Longshoremen's Association are also picketing simultaneously at the Port of Charleston.