REVISED PORT SECURITY BILL FAILS TO WIN OVER U.S. PORTS
Despite continued opposition from the U.S. port industry — Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee chairman Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., vowed Tuesday to move forward with legislation that would establish a federal port security program.
Aimed at attacking cargo theft, terrorism, drug smuggling and other crimes, the legislation would establish a national task force to coordinate security and safety enhancement programs.
The bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to establish local port security committees to help facilitate and coordinate law enforcement at U.S. ports in cooperation with private-sector businesses engaged in port operations.
The legislation also requires the Coast Guard to develop standards and procedures for conducting port security assessments.
The Coast Guard would also be required to complete at least 10 seaport security assessments per year until it has finished assessments for 50 ports deemed to be the most strategically and economically essential. The 50 chosen ports would then submit a security plan to the Coast Guard for approval, one year after completion of the assessment.
The legislation also requires the Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration to develop security guidance principles that will serve as a benchmark for review of security plans.
The legislation earmarks $68 million spread over four years to provide the U.S. Customs Service funds to purchase non-intrusive, screening equipment to help combat illegal cargo trafficking.
The bill also authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide loan guarantees to cover the costs of port security infrastructure improvements. The bill provides $80 million spread over fiscal years 2003-2006 for the infrastructure improvements.
The legislation reauthorizes an extension of tonnage duties on vessels calling at U.S. ports through 2006. The funds, which used to go to the U.S. Treasury, would be earmarked for port security. The duties are projected to provide $55 million for fiscal year 2003, $56 million for fiscal 2004 and $57 million for fiscal 2006.
The duties are assessed on a vessel operator’s first five U.S. port calls per year.
The legislation requires the U.S. Customs Service to improve the reporting of imports by requiring all ocean manifests to be transmitted electronically to the Custom Service in a timely fashion.
Speaking on behalf of the American Association of Port Authorities at a hearing before Hollings' full committee, Michael Leone, port director of the Massachusetts Port Authority, opposed establishing a new federally administered program.
Such an approach is not the most effective way to increase security, Leone said. “We believe increased coordination and information sharing among local and federal agencies as well as the private sector, combined with additional resources for current seaport law enforcement programs, is the appropriate method to address these important issues.”
Hollings brushed off the port industry’s position, saying the time and money ports have spent failed to provide the nation with adequate port security.
The bill is a first step, he said. “We are trying to work with the port authorities. They have disregarded port security.”
By opposing the establishment of a national program, the port industry is “just dancing around the fire,” Hollings said. “The port authorities must realize they are not just there to make money and move cargo.”
Leone stressed the major investments ports have made to improve security and the efforts they have made in sharing information with federal, state and local law enforcement jurisdictions.
By using existing programs and through adequate funding, port security could be attained, Leone said.