Global Security Newswire

The United States is set to supply several Italian seaports with detection technology to catch the illicit trafficking of nuclear or radiological material, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration announced yesterday (see GSN, Feb. 4).

The cooperative effort is to be carried out through the agency's Megaports Initiative at ports at Genoa, Gioia Tauro and other locations.

"This agreement highlights the shared strong commitment of the U.S. and Italy to combating nuclear terrorism," NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator Kenneth Baker said in a press release. "Italy plays a key role in the region's maritime shipping and this agreement represents an important step forward in increasing international maritime security."

The deal underlined that Rome would help pay for the detection system. The U.S. nuclear agency is expected to install radiation detection technology and related infrastructure. It would also provide training to Italian port personnel.

The Megaports Initiative is part of the NNSA Second Line of Defense program, which aims to increase global security by installing radiation portal monitors at international entry points (U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration release, March 29).