Port Vulnerability Assessments News

The U.S. Coast Guard has submitted, on behalf of the United States Government, recommended measures that it believes should be undertaken internationally to improve maritime security for the purpose of preventing and suppressing acts of terrorism against shipping. The recommended measures include advancing the date by which automatic identification systems must be installed on ships from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2004; requiring the preparation of ship, offshore facility, and port facility security plans; designation of ship and company security officers; seafarer identification verification; port vulnerability assessments; port of origin container examinations…

On March 20,the Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002 (H.R. 3983) was approved by the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and then approved by the full Transportation Committee by a voice vote. Section 2 of the bill creates a new subtitle VI of title 46, United States Code, to establish a comprehensive national system of antiterrorism security enhancements. Chapter 701 of this subtitle contains provisions related to port security. New section 70102 of title 46 requires the Coast Guard to conduct port vulnerability assessments for U.S. ports, including an assessment of the vulnerability of each facility in a port, at which there is a high risk of a catastrophic emergency.

The U.S. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Inc. military seaports. port security enhancements. Secretary Mineta. Commission on Crime and Security in U. ports. Transportation for Maritime and Land Security, Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis. Groundwork for the PVA program began in 1999 when the U.S. strengths and weaknesses of U.S. ports. The U.S. analysis of ports and critical infrastructure. in our ports," said Admiral James M. Loy, Commandant of the U.S. Guard. by Congress at $93.3 million for FY 2002. enhancing facility and operational security. and Operational Security. assessments, U.S. intelligence and investigative teams. Transportation and the U.S. operations, and to improve maritime security enforcement.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected TRW Inc. to assess the vulnerability of the nation's most critical commercial and military seaports, under a 5-year contract worth up to $31 million. "Securing our nation's ports and maritime transportation system is a vital component of our overarching transportation security mission," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta in announcing TRW's selection. Under contract to the Coast Guard, TRW will develop model port security guidelines, conduct assessments of at least 55 U.S. ports, and develop a port vulnerability self-assessment methodology to help local port stakeholders evaluate and improve security conditions.

The events of September 11, 2001 will continue to have lingering effects on the world indefinitely. The most visible remnant in the maritime world is the drastically heightened sense of safety and security, as officials in countries around the globe seek to secure their borders from the threat of attack — either direct or covert — via ship. Many of the issues currently on the legislative fast track were already in the works pre-September 11. False crew documentation, enhanced vessel tracking and beefed-up harbor controls were much-discussed topic in previous years. As is the case more often than not, though, a disaster of some proportion is inevitably the impetus in moving from discussion to action.

The House Committee on Appropriations issued a news release stating that it reported out (approved) the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY2002. The focus of the measure is on homeland security, but other issues are addressed. Of interest to the maritime community, the measure includes $75 million for grants to port authorities for security enhancements at U.S. commercial ports. It provides $12 million to the Coast Guard for additional port vulnerability assessments and another $12 million for purchase of extra coastal patrol boats. The measure now goes to the House floor for consideration. Source: HK Law

Bipartisan legislation that establishes a comprehensive national system to increase anti-terrorism security at U.S. ports and waterways was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 4. “The Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002” (H.R. 3983) was approved by a voice vote. - Rep. - Rep. - Rep. - Rep. The legislation approved by the House today also included the provisions from “The Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002” (H.R. 3507) which authorizes $5.9 billion for Coast Guard programs and operations during fiscal year 2002. H.R. 3507 was approved by the House in December 2001, but the Senate has continually refused to consider the bill.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) ongoing port security efforts, today announced the award of $92.3 million in grants to 51 ports located throughout the nation to enhance the security of ports and other facilities. "Protecting seaports and port facilities against the threat of terrorism is imperative," said Secretary Mineta. At a press conference near New York City's Staten Island Ferry, the Secretary was joined by New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Vice Chairman Charles Gargano, as well as a host of federal representatives including Rep. Bill Young (FL), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas Collins and U.S.

Seaport security grants totaling $92.3 million announced by Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Norman Mineta on June 17 will help provide urgently needed funding to the nation's port authorities for security enhancements. Ninety-five percent of the nation's overseas trade by volume moves through ports. Since September 11, 2001, ports have invested millions of dollars to improve security at marine terminals. The DOT funding will help a number of them conduct port vulnerability assessments, and continue to improve security measures such as personnel (a recurring annual cost), gate and entry controls, surveillance systems, lighting, X-ray equipment, fencing and radiation detection equipment.

Bipartisan legislation that establishes a comprehensive national system to increase anti-terrorism security at U.S. ports and waterways — "The Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002" (H.R. 3983) — was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 4. The legislation approved by the House also included the provisions from "The Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002" (H.R. 3507) which authorizes $5.9 billion for Coast Guard programs and operations during fiscal year 2002. H.R. 3507 was approved by the House in December 2001, but the Senate has continually refused to consider the bill. "Port security is an essential piece of an effective Homeland Security program," said Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young.

The U.S. House of Representatives issued the Conference Report on H.R. 4775, the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States. The following items may be of particular interest to the maritime community. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received $2 million to address critical mapping and charting backlog requirements. Of the unobligated balance available, $5 million previously appropriated to the Maritime Administration for the federal maritime loan guarantee program (Title XI) is rescinded. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) received $105 million for additional port security grants…

by Dennis L. When the federal government began examining United States vulnerabilities in the days following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it quickly became apparent that significant weakness existed on the U.S. maritime borders. Many, but not all, of these weaknesses were systemic and derived from both the U.S. open society and the procedures underlying modern maritime commerce. The goal quickly became to reduce the risk of maritime terrorism while not fundamentally altering the efficiencies of the commercial system. It was quickly realized that the threat to the maritime sector consisted of two distinct types: explosives and other contraband being shipped as cargo (particularly in a container) and the ship being used as a weapon…

On Friday, August 2, 2002, the President signed into law H.R. 4775, the "2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States" which provides supplemental FY 2002 appropriations for continuing the war on terrorism; homeland security activities, including critical funding for the Transportation Security Agency; and recovery efforts in New York. The following items may be of particular interest to the maritime community: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received $2 million to address critical mapping and charting backlog requirements. available, $5 million previously appropriated to the Maritime Administration for the federal maritime loan guarantee program (Title XI) is rescinded.