Thailand equips Laem Chabang Port with modern nuclear detection system
Thailand's largest port, Laem Chabang, began using Friday new detection equipment to prevent the illegal transport of nuclear and other radioactive materials, Mainichi reports.
The $1 million "Spectroscopic Portal Monitor" was given to Thailand as part of the U.S. Megaports Initiative to enhance scanning of cargo and containers to guard against nuclear and other radioactive materials entering Thailand or being shipped overseas, a senior U.S. diplomat based in Bangkok said in a handover ceremony.
"This latest advanced technology demonstrates our continued commitment to the safety, security and economic development of Thailand. This partnership is critical for Thailand and the U.S. because it is improving security, economic wellbeing and helping to ensure smooth operation and security in the international maritime shipping system," Judith B. Cefkin, deputy chief of mission at U.S. embassy in Bangkok, said.
Laem Chabang Port, 110 kilometers east of Bangkok, has installed 22 sets of primary radiation detection equipment, also sponsored by the United States, since 2009.
The new equipment, which offers secondary detection, has the ability to scan cargo more efficiently as it allows radioactive isotopes to be accurately identified.
So far, fewer than 10 illicit shipments of radioactive materials have been detected since 2009 and no major nuclear threat has been found, Paisal Chuenjit, director of the Laem Chabang Port Customs Bureau, said.
Laem Chabang is the world's 22nd busiest port and is one of five ports in Asia equipped with the new monitors.
The other four are Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Klang and Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia.
To thwart nuclear proliferation and terrorism, the United States has completed installation of radiation portal monitors in 41 ports worldwide, including in Yokohama and Shanghai, and it aims to equip 100 seaports with radiation detection systems by 2018.
The $1 million "Spectroscopic Portal Monitor" was given to Thailand as part of the U.S. Megaports Initiative to enhance scanning of cargo and containers to guard against nuclear and other radioactive materials entering Thailand or being shipped overseas, a senior U.S. diplomat based in Bangkok said in a handover ceremony.
"This latest advanced technology demonstrates our continued commitment to the safety, security and economic development of Thailand. This partnership is critical for Thailand and the U.S. because it is improving security, economic wellbeing and helping to ensure smooth operation and security in the international maritime shipping system," Judith B. Cefkin, deputy chief of mission at U.S. embassy in Bangkok, said.
Laem Chabang Port, 110 kilometers east of Bangkok, has installed 22 sets of primary radiation detection equipment, also sponsored by the United States, since 2009.
The new equipment, which offers secondary detection, has the ability to scan cargo more efficiently as it allows radioactive isotopes to be accurately identified.
So far, fewer than 10 illicit shipments of radioactive materials have been detected since 2009 and no major nuclear threat has been found, Paisal Chuenjit, director of the Laem Chabang Port Customs Bureau, said.
Laem Chabang is the world's 22nd busiest port and is one of five ports in Asia equipped with the new monitors.
The other four are Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Klang and Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia.
To thwart nuclear proliferation and terrorism, the United States has completed installation of radiation portal monitors in 41 ports worldwide, including in Yokohama and Shanghai, and it aims to equip 100 seaports with radiation detection systems by 2018.
