Summary
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 heightened awareness about the vulnerability to terrorist attack of all modes of transportation. Port security has emerged as a significant part of the overall debate on US homeland security. The overarching issues for Congress are providing oversight on current port security programs and making or responding to proposals to improve port security. The US maritime system consists of more than 300 sea and river ports with more than 3,700 cargo and passenger terminals. However, a large fraction of maritime cargo is concentrated at a few major ports. Most ships calling at US ports are foreign owned with foreign crews. Container ships have been the focus of much of the attention on seaport security because they are seen as vulnerable to terrorist infiltration. More than 9 million marine containers enter US ports each year. While the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) analyses cargo and other information to target specific shipments for closer inspection, it physically inspects only a small fraction of the containers. The Coast Guard and CBP are the federal agencies with the strongest presence in seaports. In response to September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard created the largest port-security operation since World War II. The Coast Guard has advanced its 24-hour Notice of Arrival (NOA) for ships to a 96-hour NOA.
Contents
1. Terrorist nuclear attacks on seaports: threat and response / Jonathan Medalia. -- 2. Port and maritime security: background and issues for congress / John F. Frittelli. -- 3. Maritime security: overview of issues / John F. Frittelli. -- 4. Port maritime security: potential for terrorist nuclear attack using oil tankers / Jonathan Medalia.