Belgium Installs Radiation Detectors at Seaport

Belgium has completed the first phase of installing radiation detectors at its Antwerp port as part of an international effort to scan U.S.-bound cargo for nuclear or radiological material before it leaves its departure port, a U.S. Energy Department release announced today (see GSN, Nov. 29, 2004).

The Megaports Initiative has so far begun operating detectors at major ports in six countries, and negotiations are under way with an additional 30 nations, according to the release (see GSN, June 29).

“This joint collaboration with Belgium at one of Europe’s largest seaports will not only enhance security in Belgium, but also help secure the entire global shipping network,” said Linton Brooks, head of the Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration, in the release.  “The Megaports program is crucial to preventing terrorists from using shipping channels to smuggle illicit nuclear and radiological material” (National Nuclear Security Administration release, Oct. 19).

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