Port Security Grant Funding News

The Port of New Orleans was awarded $947,280 in recently announced Port Security Grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the expansion and enhancement of emergency services for Port NOLA’s maritime and industrial operations.With this funding award, Port NOLA will invest in physical and technological upgrades to the Port’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which serves as home base during hurricanes and other significant incidents. Additionally…

The Port of New Orleans was recently awarded $514,964 in Port Security Grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to upgrade technology at the Harbor Police Department (HPD)’s Maritime Security Operations Center (MSOC).“This grant funding will strengthen our ability to provide proactive law enforcement services, patrols, anti-terrorism efforts, and investigative services,” said HPD’s Police Chief Melanie Montroll. “I am grateful for FEMA’s ongoing support…

San Francisco Bay Area boat designer and builder Moose Boats said it has been awarded a contract from The City of Memphis Fire and Police Departments for the construction of a M2-38 Fire Rescue and Patrol Catamaran.Twin Cummins engines at 425hp each with Hamilton water jets will power the boat, which is being built to respond to incidents on the Mississippi River and in The Port of Memphis, Tenn. Memphis Fire and Police’s new boat will be equipped with a single Hale fire pump flowing close to 2,000 gallons per minute of water through Task Force Tips fire monitors and valves.The M2 will be equipped with a host of Simrad electronics including multifunction navigation screen…

Canaveral Port Authority will utilize the $1.6 million awarded from 2014 Port Security Grant Funding for a new port-wide cyber-security program, software that integrates existing security systems and resources into a single uniformed platform and CCTV expansion into new cargo facilities. With $225,000 of the funding, the Port Authority will initiate a phased comprehensive plan to assess, develop and implement a Port-wide cyber security program. Phase one will include identifying needed resources, including personnel, equipment and software. The Port Authority will utilize $728,438 toward deployment of Maritime Situation Awareness and Response software.

Charleston, SC – Container shipping volume through the Port of Charleston increased nearly 12 percent in the first three quarters of the fiscal year, and the state’s breakbulk tonnage increased 48 percent, even as the pace of volume gains has slowed. In the July to March period, container traffic increased 11.6 percent to 1,033,062 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 925,837 TEUs in the same period last year. March volume alone was 120,265 TEUs, up 5.7 percent from March 2010.

April 8, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that Washington state ports will receive $30.3m for port security efforts across the state this year. The funds, which will now begin to be distributed to state ports, will go toward infrastructure security improvements including chemical detectors, cameras, security gates, access controls, and training and exercises. “As we work to stabilize our economy and spur investment in Washington state, it is critically important that our ports remain secure and open for business,” Senator Murray said. The funding for these grants was included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Port Security Grant Program.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will meet on March 18 where the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management will conduct an oversight hearing into homeland security emergency preparedness program budgets. Among other things, the Subcommittee will examine the proposed transfer of the port security grant program from the Transportation Security Administration to the newly-created Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness and the proposed reduction of port security grant funding from $124.5 million in FY2004 to only $46 million in FY2005. The witness will be the Honorable Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security. (Source: HK Law)

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation conducted an oversight hearing on The State of Maritime Security. The Chairman, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) generally complimented efforts of the various agencies in enhancing maritime security, but expressed concern over the lack of a comprehensive national maritime security plan and the seeming lack of coordination between the agencies. The Administration witnesses, Admiral Thomas Collins, USCG; Robert Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Rear Admiral David Stone, USN (ret), Acting Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, summarized the maritime strategy for homeland security…

Responding to recent news coverage about major management challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the way the department has handled its Port Security Grants Program, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President Kurt Nagle said the criticism "misses the mark," noting that the program's biggest problem is a serious lack of money to assist American seaports in paying for critical security measures. "Like airports, protecting our seaports against terrorism must be a top priority and a shared responsibility between the federal government, local public ports and private industry," said Nagle. Ports are already spending more than $3 billion annually on infrastructure improvements and operating expenses to keep pace with burgeoning world trade.

Responding to recent news coverage about major management challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the way the department has handled its Port Security Grants Program, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President Kurt Nagle said the criticism "misses the mark," noting that the program's biggest problem is a serious lack of money to assist American seaports in paying for critical security measures. "Like airports, protecting our seaports against terrorism must be a top priority and a shared responsibility between the federal government, local public ports and private industry," said Nagle. Ports are already spending more than $3 billion annually on infrastructure improvements and operating expenses to keep pace with burgeoning world trade.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it has made available an additional $110m in fiscal 2007 Port Security Grant funding. The money, to pay for security improvements in and around America's public ports, was part of a compromise Iraqi war appropriations supplemental bill that was signed into law last May. Currently, the Port Security Grant program divides eligible ports into four tiers, based on their perceived risk, with top tier ports receiving the lion's share of the available funds. According to DHS, changes in the way the grants are being distributed for the fiscal 2007 supplemental round will impact both Tier I and Tier II grant recipients.

Congress has passed the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006, the first legislation of its kind to authorize an annual federal funding level to help secure United States ports against terrorism. The bill, H.R. 4954, calls for $400m in federal Port Security Grant (PSG) funding for each of the next five years to help increase security in the maritime transportation system. recognized Representatives Dan Lungren (R-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA) for introducing and moving their version of the port security legislation through the House. He credited Senators Susan Collins (R-ME; chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs) and Patty Murray (D-WA)…

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) praised the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee for approving the FY 2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, which would result in a major boost in security funding for America’s seaports. As part of the bill, the committee approved an amendment, offered by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), which would provide an additional $648 million in resources for radiation portal monitors, container inspections, port inspections and port facility security grants. “Securing America’s seaports, which are essential for the nation’s economic growth, vitality and way of life, must be a top national priority,” said AAPA President/CEO Kurt Nagle.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) welcomed the U.S. House of Representatives' approval to increase by 14 percent the funding for the Port Security Grant program in fiscal year 2007. By a vote of 389 to 9, the House version of the FY'07 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security would provide $200 million in Port Security Grant program funds, compared to $150 million recommended by the House for FY'06. While appreciative of House members for approving an increase in Port Security Grant funding for next year, Mr. Nagle said the annual funding need is still twice what the House voted to provide. He followed…