Using the latest technology to secure our ports

America’s 361 ports are enormous security and commercial operations, and with approximately $1.3 billion in import and export goods transiting them each day, these ports represent a vital economic artery for our nation. An attack on any one of these ports would be devastating for not only the economy, but global trade as well. Technology, combined with sophisticated data analysis, will lead the way in improving the security of our ports and in closing security gaps in the maritime environment that could be exploited by terrorists. America was stunned by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and immediately began an assessment on the security of all our transportation system, but especially our ports.

In 2002, Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act, which President Bush signed into law shortly thereafter. While this vital legislation was an important first step to securing America’s ports, much remains to be done. It was important for Congress to move forward quickly and establish a balance between both the security of the physical infrastructure of the ports themselves and the impact those security requirements might have on the country’s systems of transportation and trade. In 2005 and 2006, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed legislation to strengthen maritime security without jeopardizing the free flow of commerce.

This Commerce Committee legislation, along with bills from the Senate Homeland Security and Finance committees, formed a basis for the comprehensive port and maritime transportation security measure known as the SAFE Port Act, which Congress approved in September of 2006, and which the president signed into law a few months later.

The SAFE Port Act encompasses a number of measures to increase maritime security, ranging from cohesive strategic policies and improved procedures to the concrete deployment of advanced technology equipment, both in the United States and abroad. This legislation is intended to strengthen port security by establishing innovative programs, utilizing data and state-of-the-art technology, to enhance our ability to protect our borders and preserve commerce. The use of technology is especially critical for improving port security.

The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is an important program that features the screening and examination of maritime containers that pose a security risk before these containers are loaded in foreign seaports for shipment to the United States. The legislation expands the current CSI program requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate more foreign ports as CSI ports, based on specific criteria, and use the technical capabilities of non-intrusive inspection and nuclear and radiological detection equipment to scan cargo loaded at these foreign ports.

 Screening technology will be used extensively to protect our ports and the free flow of trade that occurs in them. The legislation requires 100 percent screening of cargo containers unloaded at U.S. ports as well as 100 percent scanning of high-risk containers. The new law requires DHS, in coordination with other federal agencies and foreign governments, to increase the use of cargo inspection technologies. In addition to the greater use of equipment and new security technologies, the SAFE Port Act also standardizes the Automated Targeting System program, which requires the submission of supply chain and entry data, which are analyzed to improve targeting of high-risk cargo and threat materials.

Comprehensive port security improves the country’s overall security while facilitating the free flow of commerce, a combination vital to our sustained economic strength and our way of life. The new port security technologies and programs contained in the SAFE Port Act ensure that America will be a secure state without becoming a security state.

Stevens is the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

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