Unchecked danger at America’s ports leaves us vulnerable

An explosion was heard recently at our nation’s seaports. It wasn’t the result of a terrorist attack, but of the debate that erupted after news spread of a pending takeover of U.S. port terminal operations by Dubai Ports World.

While the Dubai Ports World deal highlighted the need for increased scrutiny of foreign acquisitions of U.S. industries, it begged a much larger question: Just how secure are America’s seaports?

The answer keeps us up at night.

We cannot limit the current debate to the narrow question of “ownership.” If we do, we will miss the larger danger that threatens many of our citizens as well as our economy.

For decades, industry leaders in the United States and around the world have worked hard to create an open, efficient trading system. That system, a linchpin of our economy, relies on cargo containers to move the world’s commerce. The cargo container has reduced the cost of trade, helping American businesses and creating American jobs. But, currently, those same cargo containers upon which we rely are among the greatest threats to our economy — and our safety.

Our cargo system was designed for a time before terrorist attacks on American soil. And, unfortunately, more than four years after those attacks, we still haven’t made our maritime cargo system as secure as it needs to be.

Terrorists could turn a container itself into a weapon or use containers to import a dirty bomb or parts for a weapon they would assemble on our own shores or to transport terrorists themselves. Since many ports are located in large cities, the human toll of an attack could be devastating. One study found that a nuclear device detonated at a major seaport could kill from 50,000 to 1 million people.

In addition to losing untold lives, an attack would bring our economy to a halt. After an incident, our government, in all likelihood, would immediately shut down U.S. seaports, just as it shut down the air transport system after Sept. 11. But shuttered seaports would take much longer to reopen, especially since we’d have to create a system for resuming trade on the spot — in a crisis atmosphere.

Closed ports would have a dramatic effect on our economy by blocking the just-in-time delivery system that American companies and millions of American jobs rely on. One port-security study found that a 12-day shutdown of America’s ports would cost our economy $58 billion.

Recent investigations by the Government Accountability Office have revealed major weaknesses in existing programs. It’s clear that we need a comprehensive plan to protect the American people and the American economy.

The critical challenge that any port security regime faces is keeping our ports safe while also maintaining the efficient flow of goods upon which our economy depends.

That’s why we joined together to introduce the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act, which was recently approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

Our bill would finally begin to close the gaping security holes in our cargo system while maintaining an efficient flow of commerce. It’s also why we are working with our colleagues in the Senate to ensure that security enhancements are in place to protect our nation’s seaports and the international supply chain.

Our legislation raises security standards for all cargo containers entering the United States. It then creates a unique “GreenLane” option, which offers shippers incentives to adopt even higher security standards. The GreenLane will use technology and information to track packages from factories overseas throughout the supply chain. We’ll know what is in each container, who’s handled it, if it’s been tampered with and if it needs more scrutiny.

Our plan gives the Department of Homeland Security guidance on how trade will be resumed after an incident and provides layered security at every step of the supply chain. It also builds the government infrastructure we will need to improve port security.

It would establish an Office of Cargo Security Policy to ensure accountability and to coordinate cargo-security policies throughout our government. Our bill would create a Joint Operations Centers to ensure a coordinated, measured response and the resumption of trade in the wake of an attack. It also provides $400 million in port-security grants and improves the Container Security Initiative and the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.

Finally, during the committee markup of our bill, we further strengthened it by adding a provision to create a pilot program at three foreign ports whereby 100 percent of cargo bound for the United States would be scanned with radiation-detection imaging equipment.

Today we have a choice in how we deal with the cargo security challenges facing us. Tomorrow we may not. If we build a system now, we can shape it to maximize our security and make sure it’s sensitive to the need for free-flowing commerce.

If we wait until after an incident, we risk drastic actions that will hurt everyone. With the GreenLane Act, we have the opportunity to create effective, efficient systems and put them in place now. This effort is too important to delay any longer and it’s too important to fail.

Collins is the chairwoman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and a member of the Armed Services Committee. Murray is a member of the Appropriations, Budget and Veterans’ Affairs committees.