PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE PORT SECURITY

As a result of a number of legislative initiatives and operational improvements undertaken since the tragic events of 9/11, the maritime transportation system is more secure today than ever before. Rigorous domestic and international standards have been implemented for port and cargo security. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now screens cargo information on 100 percent of import cargo containers to identify high-risk cargo before it enters the U.S., and every container identified as high risk is either inspected overseas by foreign customs officials working together with stationed CBP officials or upon arrival in the U.S. All import containers will soon also undergo radiation detection before they leave the U.S. port terminal.

Yet we cannot be complacent. Government and private sector stakeholders must share the responsibility to maintain and implement effective maritime security standards, and encourage the development and usage of appropriate technologies to make ports and cargo more secure. We must, at the same time, avoid actions that merely impede the flow of commerce and create a false sense of security without delivering real security.

Ensuring cargo security requires the unified and cooperative approach of all parties involved — from the shippers who stuff the containers overseas, to the ocean carriers that transport them, to the ports and terminals that transfer them to land-based transportation modes, to the trucks and railroads that deliver them to their eventual destination, to the importers that initiated the purchases and, of course, to the government, which has the ultimate investigative, law enforcement and regulatory authority and intelligence capabilities.

Government must focus resources on maritime security issues with as much intensity as it has focused on aviation security. Ninety percent of the nation's annual Transportation Security Administration (TSA) funds currently are directed toward aviation security. While aviation security undeniably deserves continued support, an appropriate level of resources must be allocated to the crucial challenges still facing maritime security.

Under government leadership and in close consultation with private sector stakeholders, sufficient government resources should be focused on achieving four fundamental objectives:

Earlier, Better and More Complete Cargo Shipment Data

This can be accomplished through the following actions:

• Collecting advance, pre-vessel loading information on container shipments from shippers and importers to ensure that appropriate government authorities know precise cargo contents and the identity of the parties involved in the cargo shipments.
• Enhancing the government's cargo security risk assessment screening of all cargo containers before loading aboard vessels in foreign ports to prevent dangerous substances and devices from entering the U.S.

Read Screening Fact Sheet

Enhancing the Security of the Container

This can be accomplished through the following actions:

• Implementing requirements obligating the party that loads or "stuffs" a container to seal the container immediately after secure stuffing.
• Implementing requirements for the use of high security seals as defined by international standards on all containerized shipments.
• Focusing government efforts on applying a higher standard of cargo security screenings to ensure secure and efficient commercial flows while avoiding unfocused and unnecessary inspections.
• Enhancing the deployment of non-intrusive container inspection equipment at critical ports.

Read Seals Fact Sheet

Implementation of TWIC

Congress has mandated that all nationwide transportation system workers must carry a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), a tamper resistant credential containing biometric information, to verify identity and prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to secure cargo or transportation system assets or infrastructure. The TWIC program should be implemented throughout the country as expeditiously as possible.

Read TWIC Fact Sheet

Utilizing Technology

This can be accomplished through the following action:

• Encouraging the development and usage of appropriate technologies for the identification and verification of vehicles, people and cargo entering port facilities.

The Coalition for Secure Ports — working with the U.S. government — will continue to play an important role in both securing the maritime transportation system to prevent dangerous substances and devices from entering the United States and ensuring the efficient flow of commerce. The Coalition is committed to working with the government to maintain and implement credible and effective port and cargo security programs, and to encourage the development and usage of appropriate technologies to assist in implementing such programs.