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Port Security Plan News

26 Sep 2014

EC Sues Spain over Port Security

The European Commission is taking action against Spain before the Court of Justice of the European Union, because 20 Spanish ports have yet to adopt and implement the port security plan. The main objective of European port security policy is to provide protection for ships and port facilities, as part of the maritime link in the transport logistics chain, against the risk of attacks and terrorism. Directive 2005/65/EC on enhancing port security aims to guarantee uniformly high levels of security in all European ports, in particular by implementing a port security plan laying down provisions for ensuring port security. Since June 15, 2007…

04 Jan 2008

Port Security Plan Costs Rise by $3.5M

Costs soared by $3.5 million to install security enhancements at the Port of Los Angeles under a revised budget plan approved by the harbor commission. Technological upgrades and expanding the project's scope to include port tenants and public access areas were cited as the primary reasons for the spending hike, causing the project's budget to balloon to more than $9 million. Since then, an additional $555,678 in change orders was approved by the panel, but port officials noted that the most recent hike was not attributed to construction overruns. The new budget sets aside $1.1 million to install security systems at the new offices for Northrop Grumman and Liberty Hill Plaza…

07 Nov 2003

House Adopts Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act

Yhe U.S. House of Representatives adopted the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2003 (H.R. 2443). The measure was approved by the Transportation Committee on June 12, but only now reached the floor. It includes a manager’s amendment, offered by Representative LoBiondo (R-NJ), chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. A brief summary of the measure, as adopted, follows, emphasizing the changes from the earlier version. The authorized funding of the Coast Guard was increased to $4.865 billion for operation and maintenance and $1.147 billion for acquisition, construction, rebuilding, and improvement. This is $460 million more than the President requested. Of this amount, $70 million is for conducting the mandated U.S.

08 Mar 2004

Column: When Security is Made Simple

How are we to implement an effective Maritime Security Program? When terrorists hijacked aircraft and used them as weapons, a significant paradigm shift occurred in how we view security in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created and we were witnesses to the largest shift in federal government roles and responsibilities since World War II. Additionally, significant changes were made to the airline and maritime industries with the implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) and its aviation counterpart. This article will discuss methodologies to assist maritime owners/operators in complying with the often confusing myriad of federal and international laws and regulations. According to the U.S.

19 Jul 2006

DHS Launches $1.2b Nuke Port Security Plan

UPI has reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched a $1.2b plan to deploy more advanced radiological screening devices at U.S. ports. By 2011, the DHS expects to have 1,400 of the next-generation screeners deployed at both ports and border crossings. The new detectors will range in cost from $350,000 to about $500,000 each, compared to the $180,000 for those currently employed. Officials, however, expect that the more-expensive systems will reduce the number of containers flagged for more-complete inspections each year from 821,000 to 15,000, the report said. The DHS also announced a plan to deploy the new devices in and around U.S. cities, and Oxford said work on a $3 million pilot deployment program has begun in New York City, GSN said.

07 Apr 2006

Senate Approves FY 2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

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.

09 Oct 2002

USCG Issues Port Security Guidelines

The U.S. Coast Guard issued Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 9-02 entitled Guidelines for Port Security Committees and Port Security Plans Required for U.S. Ports Building on its Maritime Homeland Security Mission, the Coast Guard Headquarters has advised its field units on how to structure the Port Security Committees and how to develop Port Security Plans. By February 28, 2003, each Captain of the Port (COTP) is to conduct a preliminary port level security assessment in conjunction with the Port Security Committee. The assessment will provide the basis for finalizing the Port Security Plan. Source: HK Law