Much has been accomplished since the 9/11 terrorist attacks to
improve the security of the nation's ports and of cargo containers
entering the United States. In fact, today ports, vessels, and the
entire cargo supply chain are significantly more secure than before
9/11 due to the concerted efforts of government, the private sector
and our international trading partners. Port and cargo security
has been significantly strengthened over the past three years by
the following measures:
Passage of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)
of 2002 — This landmark legislation passed by the U.S.
Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in 2002 created
a comprehensive national system of transportation security enhancements
to protect America's maritime community against the threat of
terrorism without adversely affecting the flow of U.S. commerce
through American ports. The MTSA designated the U.S. Coast Guard
as the lead federal agency for maritime homeland security and
requires federal agencies, ports, and vessel owners to take numerous
steps to upgrade security. The MTSA requires the Coast Guard to
develop national and regional area maritime transportation security
plans and requires seaports, waterfront terminals, and vessels
to submit security and incident response plans to the Coast Guard
for approval. The MTSA also requires the Coast Guard to conduct
antiterrorism assessments of certain foreign ports.
International Maritime Security Initiatives:
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
— The ISPS Code, adopted by the International Maritime Organization,
came into force on July 1, 2004. The ISPS Code is a comprehensive,
mandatory security regime for international shipping and port
operations agreed to by America's trading partners. Ships must
be certified by their flag states to ensure that mandated security
measures have been implemented. Port facilities must undergo security
vulnerability assessments that form the basis of security plans
approved by their government authorities. Both port facilities
and ships are required to designate security officers and follow
strict standards regarding access control, monitoring and handling
of cargo and other key areas of maritime security.
Domestic Maritime Security Initiatives:
U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Regulations:
Required Vulnerability Assessments and Security Plans
— Terminal operators and shipping lines have submitted vulnerability assessments and security plans to the U.S. Coast Guard to address facility and vessel vulnerabilities, as required by the MTSA. The Coast Guard has reviewed these security plans, and is currently auditing the covered entities for compliance. These plans establish procedures for access control, restricted areas, monitoring, cargo handling, training, exercises and drills, and other key areas of maritime security.
Enhanced Physical Security — Marine terminals
have installed enhanced security systems, such as perimeter
fencing, signage, lighting and electronic surveillance. Security
checks and screenings have increased, including the screening
of personnel and vehicles. Security training and awareness programs
have been initiated and incident response and evacuation plans
have been put in place.
Advance Ship Arrival Information — All
vessels in international traffic must electronically file detailed
advance Notices of Arrival 96 hours before arrival in a U.S.
port that include information about the vessel's itinerary,
crew, cargo, ownership, and flag. This allows the government
to identify high-risk vessels before they enter U.S. waters
and ports. In addition, the government has been enhancing the
criteria for the issuance and review of seafarer credentials
and is requiring — for those foreign seafarers who wish
to obtain shore leave in the U.S. — individual visas that
may only be obtained after personal interviews with U.S. Consular
officers and the inclusion of biometric identification (fingerprints
and digital photos).
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) —
C-TPAT is a public-private sector partnership working to improve
security along the entire supply chain. Recognizing that U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can provide the highest level
of security through close cooperation with importers, carriers,
brokers, warehouse operators, manufacturers and other supply chain
participants, cargo interests, ports, and vessels involved in
transporting goods through U.S. ports have been asked by CBP to
assess the vulnerabilities of their supply chains and implement
measures that address weaknesses. Participating entities increase
the security of the entire system while reaping the benefits of
enhanced efficiencies in CBP procedures.
24-Hour Electronic Transmission of Advance Cargo Manifests
— Twenty-four hours before any container is loaded onto
a vessel bound for the United States, CBP receives advanced electronic
transmission of cargo manifests. The information is analyzed by
CBP's Automated Targeting System to compare against law enforcement
data, the latest threat intelligence and the shippers' history
in order to identify high-risk cargo shipments that require further
review, inspection or denial of loading.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Screens Information on 100
Percent of Import Containers — CBP screens information
on 100 percent of import containers to identify high-risk cargo
before it enters the U.S. Each and every container identified
as high risk is inspected either in the foreign port of loading
or upon arrival in the U.S. by CBP.
Container Security Initiative (CSI) — The
CBP launched CSI to "extend the zone of security outward
so that American borders are the last line of defense, not the
first." The CSI program uses intelligence and automated information
to identify and target containers that pose a risk of terrorism.
Teams of CBP officials are deployed overseas to target ocean-going,
containerized cargo. U.S. officers work alongside allies to inspect
those containers that have been identified as high-risk at the
port of departure before they arrive at U.S. ports.
Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) Technology
— CBP has placed VACIS technology at major cargo terminal
facilities throughout the nation to inspect containers for dangerous
substances and devices. VACIS is an advanced technology that uses
a gamma ray imaging system to provide a non-invasive image of
cargo contents.
Radiation Portals — CBP is in the process of installing radiation portals at major cargo handling facilities to screen cargo brought into the country for the presence of radioactive material.
Operation Safe Commerce — This pilot program, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security with the support of other departments and agencies, analyzes security in the commercial supply chain and tests various proposed measures including new technologies to enhance cargo security.
Proposed Domestic Security Initiative:
Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) Program
— The U.S. Transportation Security Administration's TWIC
program will improve security by establishing a tamper resistant
common credential to be used by personnel who require access to
secure and sensitive areas of the nation's transportation system.
The TWIC uses biometric information about the cardholder to positively
authenticate the identity of TWIC holders.
As a result of these and other initiatives, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced on June 21, 2004 that U.S. ports are more secure than ever before. However, port and cargo security is an ongoing process — a work in progress — and all members of the Coalition for Secure Ports understand that we must constantly and continually improve the security of our containers, vessels, ports and ground transportation systems through the dedication of appropriate resources and improved technology.
