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U.S. Report Finds Ongoing Port Security Problems
A U.S. Homeland Security Department report has found a variety of port security problems that could undermine efforts to keep unconventional weapons from being brought into the United States, the Associated Press reported yesterday (see GSN, Feb. 7). Faulty security by private firms at U.S. and foreign ports, and on ships, trucks and trains “would enable unmanifested materials or weapons of mass destruction to be introduced into the supply chain,” states the $75 million study, which is due to be finished in the fall. It is possible to open cargo containers during shipping to remove materials or place new items inside without the knowledge of U.S. authorities, according to the report obtained by AP. “Due to the time involved in transit (and) the fact that most vessel crew members are foreigners with limited credentialing and vetting, the containers are vulnerable to intrusion during the ocean voyage,” the report states. While special monitors can be used to detect nuclear materials, they are also given to false alarms. New Jersey port officials found that bananas, kitty litter and fire detectors all caused sensor alarms by emitting natural radiation, according to AP. The report notes the importance of placing radiation monitors at foreign ports. “While there is clearly value in nuclear detection at a U.S. port, that is precisely the concern — it is already on U.S. soil.” Detecting chemical or biological weapons during shipping would be even more difficult. Tests were “labor intensive, time-consuming and costly to use,” the report states. “No silver bullet has emerged to render terrorists incapable of introducing WMD into containers,” it adds. “There are huge holes in our security system that need to be filled,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.). The report “shows us there are major vulnerabilities over who handles cargo, where it’s been and whether cargo is on a manifest.” The report also states that: — Security problems occur at both U.S. and foreign ports. All Pakistani, Turkish and Brazilian port facilities were found to be more secure than a warehouse in Maine. “There is a perception that U.S. facilities benefit from superior security protection measures,” the report states. “This mind set may contribute to a misplaced sense of confidence in American business practices.” — There were no records for “cursory” checks in Guatemala for cargo containers of Starbucks coffee beans heading to the West Coast. — Brazilian truck drivers took cargo containers home at night and parked them on public streets. U.S. trains, meanwhile, stopped in unsecured rail yards in high-crime areas. — Security at the Turkish Port of Imzir was “totally inadequate by U.S. standards.” — Certain unidentified nations refused to cooperate with the study, strengthening the belief that some governments do not believe terrorism is a problem for their country (Ted Bridis, Associated Press/RedOrbit.com, March 12).
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