Arctic Deep Water Sea Port Bill
Senator Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Arctic Deep Water Sea Port Act of 2009 (S. 2849) to require a study and report on the feasibility and potential of establishing a deep water sea port in the Arctic to protect and advance strategic United States interests within the evolving and ever more important region. (12/8/09). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)
OMSA Applauds SAFE Port Act
The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) applauds Congress for its passage of the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act. The legislation contains a key provision that will help reduce the risk of terrorist activity in America’s offshore oil and gas sector. Offshore drilling and production facilities have been vulnerable because there was not requirement for foreign vessels to report security information to the Coast guard when they go to work in offshore areas, according to OMSA. Currently, foreign vessels that call on U.S. ports are required to report information on crewmembers, vessel owners, cargo and the extent of their security plans.
Congress Plans New Cargo Security Laws
Congress is preparing legislation to improve U.S. national standards on cargo security. The two bills in Congress gaining the most support are the "Greenlane Maritime Cargo Security bill" in the Senate and the "Security and Accountability For Every Port bill" in the House of Representatives. The bills would not mandate specific actions that must be taken with regard to screening abroad or container seals. Instead, the bills would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategic plan within six months "to enhance international supply chain security for all modes of transportation by which containers arrive in…
Panel Rejects Port Security Proposal
Republicans on the House Homeland Security Economic Security Subcommittee on March 30 rejected a proposal from Democrats that would have required all cargo containers headed for the United States to have tamper-resistant seals and be scanned for illicit materials. The proposal, offered as an amendment to the Security and Accountability for Every Port bill, was defeated on an 8-6 party-line vote before the subcommittee passed the bill by unanimous voice vote. The defeated amendment would have required the Homeland Security Department to issue new regulations within three years requiring all containers to have hardened seals and be scanned before leaving a foreign port.
