U.S. Radiation Sensors Tested in Honduras, Pakistan

U.S. radiation detection devices are being tested in Honduras and Pakistan as part of a new program to prevent nuclear or radiological material from reaching the United States by halting it at foreign seaports, two U.S. agencies announced yesterday (see GSN, April 11).

The $60 million Secure Freight Initiative calls for installation of detection technology and communications equipment at six ports around the world.

Equipment testing began last month at Port Qasim in Pakistan and on April 2 in Puerto Cortes, Honduras.  Testing is scheduled for this year at the other four ports — Southampton in the United Kingdom, Salalah in Oman, the Port of Singapore, and the Gamman Terminal at Port Busan in South Korea.

“Terrorists and criminals use global shipping networks, and we are deploying multiple layers of advanced technology to counter their tactics,” Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Michael Jackson said in a press release issued by his agency and the National Nuclear Security Administration.  “Secure Freight creates a global nuclear detection network with shippers, carriers and foreign allies, to head off the worst possible form of attack, a nuclear or ‘dirty bomb’ on our soil.”

U.S. customs personnel working overseas and the National Targeting Center would almost instantly receive data on scanned cargo heading to the United States.  “The data will be combined with other risk assessment information to improve analysis, targeting and scrutiny of high-risk containers,” the press release states (U.S. Homeland Security Department release, April 11).

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