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The Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex uses a variety of means to detect WMD
The Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex uses the latest -- together with the simplest -- technology in trying to prevent weapons of mass destruction from being smuggled through the port; among these means used: a $3 million high-tech screening ship, a radiation-detecting helicopter and a badge-carrying black Labrador retriever that can sniff out chemical and biological weapons
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U.K. shipper complies with "known shipper" requirements by installing Avigilon surveillance system
Avigilon helps Airberg conform with government-regulated security requirements, saving more than £700,000 each year; additional benefits include protecting the shipper's facility from theft and vandalism and minimizing the loss and damage of goods
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Incentives for private industry, risk-based inspection for cargo containers
There is no consensus on the number of cargo containers entering U.S. ports each year -- the figures quoted range from 11.6 to 15 million; there is a consensus, however, that implementing the Congressionally mandated 100 percent inspection of these containers is a Herculean task; some suggest instead a risk-based inspection combined with more incentives to the private sector to make containers secure
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U.S.-bound ship cargo to get more scrutiny
The goal of screening 100 percent of U.S.-bound cargo containers is may not be reached any time soon, but new cargo-reporting requirement stipulates that ocean carriers and importers submit additional details about U.S.-bound cargo twenty-four hours before it is loaded onto vessels in foreign seaports
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Researchers propose a new way to scan cargo containers
In 2007 the U.S. government set itself the goal of screening all aviation cargo loaded onto passenger planes and all maritime cargo entering the country for both explosives and nuclear materials; this is an ambitious goal: there are more than ten millions containers entering the United States every year through sea ports and land border crossings, and there are more than 28,000 commercial flights
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2010: Topics for homeland security discussion
The only thing we can say for sure about 2010 is terrorists, criminals, and mother nature will surprise us at some point during 2010; still, based on what we do know, we offer a short list of topics we predict will dominate the homeland security discussion in the coming year – from whole-body scanners to 100 percent air cargo screening to social Web sites to communication interoperability to the consequences of climate change (or is there a climate change?)
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U.K. forwarders “not surprised” by U.S. climbdown on 100 percent container scanning
U.K. shippers say that rather than push back the deadline for 100 percent screening, as requested by DHS, the U.S. government ought to undertake a pragmatic review of the whole 100 percent screening initiative and create a revised program on a risk assessed, commercially practical, and technologically feasible basis
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Freight forwarders urge TSA to create security standards
A recent DHS inspector general report highlighted weaknesses in TSA’s inspection of air cargo, and mad six recommendation for improvement; professional forwarders agree, but also say that the inspection process should be made more transparent and that inspectors should communicate with forwarders more openly
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Container securityDHS looks to tamper-proof cargo containers
DHS has been looking into many different technologies to protect U.S. boarders since 9/11. Now, the department is looking to the for ideas to help enhance security where some argue it is needed most -- down by the docks.
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Rockefeller wants container scanning mandate reconsidered
DHS secretary Janet Napolitano: “The costs of 100 percent scanning are very steep, especially in a down economy…. DHS equipment costs alone will be about $8 million for every one of the more than 2,100 shipping lanes at the more than 700 ports that ship to the United States.”
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The cutting edgeImagining new threats -- and countering them
DHS air transport security lab is in the business of imagining new threats -- then developing the technologies to counter them; their dream? To build a "tunnel of truth" in each airport lined with hidden sensors, scanners, and rays; passengers would get zapped and sniffed as they passed, and would not need to take off their shoes, toss their liquids, or anything else
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Small business alliance enters homeland security arena
A group of companies formed the Strategic Security Alliance to increase the visibility of its member firms and make them more competitive in the homeland and maritime security markets
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Port Manatee receives $1 million for security
Tampa Bay-area port receives stimulus package funds to improve port security
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Panelists call for more investment in anti-piracy technology
Experts on a panel at the International Maritime Museum of Hamburg call for more investment in anti-piracy technology, and for greater coordination among trading nations to address the threat of piracy
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Growth of Middle East ports means growth in demand for security
Rapid expansion of terminal capacity and new seaports to create growth opportunities in the Middle East maritime security market
The Long View
Grappling with the pirate problem
The Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia, and the Gulf of Aden, are among the most sensitive choke points in global commerce; trouble is, the stable, the comparatively wealthy Southeast Asian countries that line the Malacca Strait have committed their naval and coastal forces to stamping out hijackings and piracy, but the Gulf of Aden is bordered by poor or dysfunctional countries like Djibouti, Yemen, and particularly Somalia
Somali pirates benefit from a global network of informers
These are not your father's pirates: Somali pirates benefit from information sent to them by informers planted in key shipping hubs around the world; this information includes vessels' cargo, layout, and route -- and is transmitted early enough to allow the pirates enough time to practice their assault based on the information they received
