Robert Bonner News

conducted an oversight hearing regarding transportation security. task. Mr. Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, discussed the role of the Department of Transportation regarding security and its coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, discussed the agency's strategy to reduce maritime security risks through: (1) increasing maritime domain awareness, (2) implementing preventative measures, (3) securing borders and protecting infrastructure, and (4) preparing to respond quickly if necessary.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation conducted an oversight hearing regarding transportation security. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Committee Chair, noted that maritime security remains a daunting task. Mr. Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, discussed the role of the Department of Transportation regarding security and its coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, discussed the agency's strategy to reduce maritime security risks through: (1) increasing maritime domain awareness, (2) implementing preventative measures, (3) securing borders and protecting infrastructure, and (4) preparing to respond quickly if necessary.

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…

Robert Bonner, Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service, today announced that the government of Singapore has agreed to join the Container Security Initiative (CSI), marking first nation in Asia to sign up for CSI and is a key U.S. Customs initiative designed to prevent global sea cargo from being exploited by terrorists to inflict harm on America and other nations of the world. "I applaud the government of Singapore for joining the U.S. Customs Service Container Security Initiative. This important first agreement in Asia will provide a significant measure of security for Singapore and the United States. This accord will also provide a significant measure of security for the global trading system as a whole," said Commissioner Bonner. Launched by U.S.

The Port of Le Havre Authority is ready to accept a team of U.S. Customs inspectors working closely with French Customs officers under an agreement between the French and United States Governments that makes France’s most important port for container traffic part of the Container Security Initiative (CSI) of U.S. Customs. The agreement was announced today in Europe by Robert Bonner, Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service, and Alain Cadiou, Director General of French Customs and Excise Service. The CSI is designed to enhance the security of global maritime shipping. “Security measures are of major concern to the Port of Le Havre and we are seeking to harmonize our efforts with other European ports,” said Jean-Marc Lacave, Executive Director of the Port of Le Havre Authority.

On June 25, Dutch minister Gerrit Zalm and Robert Bonner, commissioner Customs Service USA, signed the so-called Declaration of Principles for the port of Rotterdam. The goal of this cooperation is to mutually exchange information aimed at identifying containers that carry a high risk. The Rotterdam Municipal Port Management (RMPM) is pleased with the proposed cooperation between the customs services of the Netherlands and the United States. The declaration will not only contribute to improving the level of in U.S. ports, but also in other ports. The RMPM considers the agreement a token of appreciation for its safety policy against organized crime.

The United States Congress is working hard to enact maritime security legislation. At the same time and under the leadership of the United States, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is working hard to develop an international convention on maritime security. There is little doubt that Congress will complete its task before IMO completes its mission. There is also little doubt that, in some areas, the U.S. approach will differ from that to be taken by IMO. The international maritime community will thus be facing a situation not wholly dissimilar from that of just over ten years ago when the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) challenged the approach taken by IMO with regard to double hulls on oil tankers and related matters.

The U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative (CSI) is a program launched by Commissioner Robert Bonner, on January 17 in a speech given at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. CSI secures an indispensable, but vulnerable, link in the chain of global trade: the oceangoing sea container. Customs plays a unique role in processing maritime trade, an ever-expanding stream of commerce, while continually protecting America from terrorism and crime. · The volume of trade moving through the nation’s 102 seaports has nearly doubled since 1995. · In 2001, U.S. Customs processed more than 214,000 vessels and 5.7 million sea containers. · Approximately 90 percent of the world’s cargo moves by container. · Globally over 200 million cargo containers move between major seaports each year.

The United States Congress is working hard to enact maritime security legislation. At the same time and under the leadership of the United States, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is working hard to develop an international convention on maritime security. There is little doubt that Congress will complete its task before IMO completes its mission. There is also little doubt that, in some areas, the U.S. approach will differ from that to be taken by IMO. The international maritime community will thus be facing a situation not wholly dissimilar from that of just over ten years ago when the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) challenged the approach taken by IMO with regard to double hulls on oil tankers and related matters.

Pieter Struijs – Vice-chairman of the Executive board of the Port of Rotterdam and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors – on September 14 was presented with the ‘Maritime Lifetime Achievement Award’ during the Maritime Security Expo in New York. Together with U.S. Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Robert Bonner, Struijs will be presented with this award in recognition of his efforts to promote security in the shipping industry. Under the supervision of Struijs, the Port of Rotterdam has over the last couple of years been applying itself to promoting the security of the port of Rotterdam. The multidisciplinary Criminality Platform, for example, was already established as early as 1997.

(C-TPAT) Program. validation audit, which can provide a host of benefits for customers. transfer of cargo from point of origin loading to delivery destination. Customs targeting and inspection of their shipments upon arrival in U.S. Ports. move to the head of the line for inspection scheduling. preference in restarting trade operations. Commissioner Robert Bonner. sector partnership program between U.S. worldwide supply chain. program's inception. threat awareness and personnel background clearances and identification. years," said Ed Alford, Crowley's Director of Security. security standards in the industry. manufacturers. validated. years. recognized by Customs. international operation areas. security regulations.

U.S. Customs officials have announced the next step in the agency's multi-tiered program to protect international commerce from terrorist infiltration. Customs introduced on August 19 the Sea Cargo Targeting Initiative, an automated system that better identifies high-risk sea-going shipments into U.S. ports of entry and establishes new policies for dealing with these shipments. "The aim of this new initiative is to improve the way we address high-risk cargo," said Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner. "The challenge we face is constantly changing and our policies will evolve accordingly. · Adding new criteria to U.S. Customs automated systems that reflect the latest information about possible terrorist activities.

U.S. Customs Service Commissioner Robert Bonner made a Speech