Port security policy (US) needs balance to ensure efficiency
The US must achieve port security to prevent shipping being used as a terrorist weapon while ensuring cargo movement does not slow and undermine American prosperity, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told a recent gathering of the American Association of Port Authorities in Washington DC.
"We have done a lot to protect our ports without sacrificing the mobility of goods. We will remain your steadfast partners in this balanced effort," said Mr. Chertoff.
"The private sector also has a major role, and will be included through the Maritime Sector Co-ordinating Council, our National Response Plan, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and the Maritime Infrastructure Recovery Plan," Mr Chertoff said.
It is also important to rapidly resume operations after an attack occurs, he said. "When we look at Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we saw tremendous damage to the port structures. Some 1,800 aids to navigation were destroyed, and the storms caused significant silting of the navigable waterways, and led to the sinking of 2,900 vessels," he said.
"Planning is critical to recover ports from the kind of damage we've seen in Katrina and Rita. And that has to be a joint effort, one undertaken not only with the federal government, but with you who own the assets and employ the people who work in the ports," he said.
"We have done a lot to protect our ports without sacrificing the mobility of goods. We will remain your steadfast partners in this balanced effort," said Mr. Chertoff.
"The private sector also has a major role, and will be included through the Maritime Sector Co-ordinating Council, our National Response Plan, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and the Maritime Infrastructure Recovery Plan," Mr Chertoff said.
It is also important to rapidly resume operations after an attack occurs, he said. "When we look at Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we saw tremendous damage to the port structures. Some 1,800 aids to navigation were destroyed, and the storms caused significant silting of the navigable waterways, and led to the sinking of 2,900 vessels," he said.
"Planning is critical to recover ports from the kind of damage we've seen in Katrina and Rita. And that has to be a joint effort, one undertaken not only with the federal government, but with you who own the assets and employ the people who work in the ports," he said.
