Spotlight - Port Security

Welcome to the Maritime Spotlight. Here you'll find hundreds of pages of information on current and recent developments, port security, government compliance, legislation and court decisions. You can access links to industry resources and organizations and archived materials on maritime matters, as well.


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MARAD – reporting procedures for Gulf of Aden transit

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an

Advisory providing recommended reporting procedures for commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden. Masters are asked to check in with MARLO Bahrain at least 48 hours prior to entering the suggested corridor, again upon entering the corridor, and finally when exiting the corridor. (9/26/08).

USCG – contract for TWIC hand-held readers

The US Coast Guard has awarded the

contract for the TWIC hand-held readers to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). The contract for these devices intended to read the biometric data on Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs) is valued at $2,274,366. (9/18/08).

DHS – Homeland Security 2015

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsored a workshop at Georgetown University to obtain views of a wide variety of experts regarding the most problematic future threats to the security of the United States and Canada. The 106-page

Proceedings of that workshop have now been published. While the issues are not maritime-centric, they are wide ranging. (9/18/08).

CBP – reporting evidence of stowaway activity

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a

Notice reminding carriers, terminal operators, and Container Examination Station (CES) operators of the requirement to promptly report evidence of stowaway activity, such as blankets, mattresses, food, etc. (9/16/08).

USCG – TWIC enforcement – various ports

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that owners and operators of regulated facilities located within Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Hampton Roads, Morgan City, New Orleans, Upper Mississippi River, Miami, Key West, and St. Petersburg must implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) portion of their facility security plans not later than January 13, 2009. US mariners will be eligible for unescorted access by utilizing their valid Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner’s document along with valid photo identification.

73 Fed. Reg. 52924 (September 12, 2008).

New England – TWIC enforcement reminders

The Department of Homeland Security has started distribution of reminders that enforcement of the requirement for maritime workers to have their Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs) commences for marine facilities in New England on October 15. As of that date, maritime workers will be denied unescorted access to such facilities unless they have a valid TWIC in their possession. The reminders come in two forms: a one-page

flyer and a two-page pocket card, but the information is the same. The New England enforcement area includes all facilities within USCG Captain of the Port Zones Northern New England, Boston, and Southeastern New England. Within this area, TWIC enrollment centers are located in Burlington, Bangor, Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Bourne, and Providence. (9/10/08).

Singapore – heightened security in Gulf of Aden

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding owners, operators, and masters of the heightened security situation in the Gulf of Aden. Included with the circular is a chart showing recommended waypoints for vessels transiting the Gulf. Information is also provided regarding the voluntary reporting scheme administered by the Royal Navy Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) team.

Shipping Circular No. 25 of 2008 (9/9/08).

TSA – TWIC update

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an update to its status report on the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The

TWIC Dashboard shows that, as of 5 September, 483,241 maritime workers have enrolled for a TWIC and that 304,159 cards have been activated. Note: In my opinion, the TWIC program is not in a position to commence active enforcement. There is more than enough blame to go around for this situation and little is gained by seeking a whipping boy. These credentials are needed by over one million workers and, after several years of effort, have been placed in the hands of less than one-third of the regulated population. The program will need at least six additional months before it is ready to go live. In the meantime, outreach efforts must be expanded and technical glitches in card production and distribution must be resolved. (9/5/08).

USCG – TWIC enforcement

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that owners and operators of regulated facilities located within Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Hampton Roads, Morgan City, New Orleans, Upper Mississippi River, Miami, Key West, and St. Petersburg must implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) portion of their facility security plans not later than January 13, 2009. US mariners will be eligible for unescorted access by utilizing their valid Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner’s document along with valid photo identification. (9/9/08).

DHS – partnership urged, not command and control

Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff delivered a

speech in which he advocated improving security through partnerships with industry, rather than command and control measures such as 100% scanning of cargo containers. (9/5/08).