GPA among first in the Nation to enroll in program
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., on Wednesday, May 28,
announced that the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is participating in the
U.S. Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. The
C-TPAT program is designed to enhance the prevention of terrorism
throughout the entire supply chain by combining the security efforts of
organizations involved in global commerce.
"I am proud to announce today that the Georgia Ports Authority is among
the
first marine terminal operators in the United States to enroll in the
C-TPAT program," said Chambliss. "This exciting new initiative,
developed
by the Customs and Border Protection (CDP) agency within the Department
of
Homeland Security, is an excellent step toward further protecting the
maritime supply chain from acts of terrorism."
In order to reduce the threat risks associated with terrorism, CDP is
actively encouraging the importing community to collaborate by
strengthening their supply chains.
"GPA's participation in the C-TPAT program underscores our commitment to
continue our efforts to develop and implement effective security
measures
and to maintain the highest level of collaboration with our customers
and
federal regulatory agencies," said Doug J. Marchand, GPA's Executive
Director.
C-TPAT is a joint government-business initiative to build cooperative
relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security.
"GPA recognizes that only through close cooperation between importers,
carriers, brokers, warehouse operators and manufacturers can the highest
level of security be provided," said Marchand.
"By participating in C-TPAT, the GPA has already begun to ask businesses
to
help ensure the integrity of their security practices and to communicate
security guidelines to all business partners in
the supply chain,"
Chambliss added.
Chambliss outlined the following steps GPA has taken or will take as a
member of C-TPAT:
· Conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of supply chain security
using
the C-TPAT security guidelines jointly developed by Customs and the
trade
community. These guidelines, which are available for review on the
Customs
website, encompass the following areas: Procedural Security, Physical
Security, Personnel Security, Education and Training, Access Controls,
Manifest Procedures, and Conveyance Security.
· Submit a supply chain security profile questionnaire to Customs.
· Develop and implement a program to enhance security throughout the
supply chain in accordance with C-TPAT guidelines.
· Communicate C-TPAT guidelines to other companies in the supply
chain
and work toward building the guidelines into relationships with these
companies.
"C-TPAT offers Georgia's ports an opportunity to play an active role in
the
war against terrorism," said Chambliss. "By participating in this first
worldwide supply chain security initiative, GPA will ensure a more
secure
supply chain for their employees, suppliers and customers."