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IMO – joint approaches to Somalia piracy

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The IMO issued a

news release stating that Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos met with representatives of major maritime industry groups and agreed on joint approaches to the problems presented by the ongoing Somalia piracy. They called for sustained coordination between all naval forces operating in the area; clear rules of engagement; and an extension of the United Nations Security Council resolution enabling States to enter Somalia’s territorial waters and use all necessary means in order to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, consistent with relevant international law. (10/10/08).

USCG – TWIC new hire provision

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued

guidance to company, vessel, and facility security officers regarding how submit required information concerning newly hired personnel so as to comply with the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) provisions of the maritime security regulations. (10/9/08).

MARAD – reporting procedures for Gulf of Aden transit

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an

Advisory providing recommended reporting procedures for commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden. Masters are asked to check in with MARLO Bahrain at least 48 hours prior to entering the suggested corridor, again upon entering the corridor, and finally when exiting the corridor. (9/26/08).

USCG – contract for TWIC hand-held readers

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard has awarded the

contract for the TWIC hand-held readers to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). The contract for these devices intended to read the biometric data on Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs) is valued at $2,274,366. (9/18/08).

DHS – Homeland Security 2015

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsored a workshop at Georgetown University to obtain views of a wide variety of experts regarding the most problematic future threats to the security of the United States and Canada. The 106-page

Proceedings of that workshop have now been published. While the issues are not maritime-centric, they are wide ranging. (9/18/08).

CBP – reporting evidence of stowaway activity

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a

Notice reminding carriers, terminal operators, and Container Examination Station (CES) operators of the requirement to promptly report evidence of stowaway activity, such as blankets, mattresses, food, etc. (9/16/08).

USCG – TWIC enforcement – various ports

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that owners and operators of regulated facilities located within Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Hampton Roads, Morgan City, New Orleans, Upper Mississippi River, Miami, Key West, and St. Petersburg must implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) portion of their facility security plans not later than January 13, 2009. US mariners will be eligible for unescorted access by utilizing their valid Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner’s document along with valid photo identification.

73 Fed. Reg. 52924 (September 12, 2008).

New England – TWIC enforcement reminders

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Department of Homeland Security has started distribution of reminders that enforcement of the requirement for maritime workers to have their Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWICs) commences for marine facilities in New England on October 15. As of that date, maritime workers will be denied unescorted access to such facilities unless they have a valid TWIC in their possession. The reminders come in two forms: a one-page

flyer and a two-page pocket card, but the information is the same. The New England enforcement area includes all facilities within USCG Captain of the Port Zones Northern New England, Boston, and Southeastern New England. Within this area, TWIC enrollment centers are located in Burlington, Bangor, Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Bourne, and Providence. (9/10/08).

Singapore – heightened security in Gulf of Aden

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding owners, operators, and masters of the heightened security situation in the Gulf of Aden. Included with the circular is a chart showing recommended waypoints for vessels transiting the Gulf. Information is also provided regarding the voluntary reporting scheme administered by the Royal Navy Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) team.

Shipping Circular No. 25 of 2008 (9/9/08).

TSA – TWIC update

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an update to its status report on the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The

TWIC Dashboard shows that, as of 5 September, 483,241 maritime workers have enrolled for a TWIC and that 304,159 cards have been activated. Note: In my opinion, the TWIC program is not in a position to commence active enforcement. There is more than enough blame to go around for this situation and little is gained by seeking a whipping boy. These credentials are needed by over one million workers and, after several years of effort, have been placed in the hands of less than one-third of the regulated population. The program will need at least six additional months before it is ready to go live. In the meantime, outreach efforts must be expanded and technical glitches in card production and distribution must be resolved. (9/5/08).

USCG – TWIC enforcement

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that owners and operators of regulated facilities located within Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Hampton Roads, Morgan City, New Orleans, Upper Mississippi River, Miami, Key West, and St. Petersburg must implement the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) portion of their facility security plans not later than January 13, 2009. US mariners will be eligible for unescorted access by utilizing their valid Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner’s document along with valid photo identification. (9/9/08).

DHS – partnership urged, not command and control

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff delivered a

speech in which he advocated improving security through partnerships with industry, rather than command and control measures such as 100% scanning of cargo containers. (9/5/08).

CBP – SFI trial in Singapore

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a

news release stating that it and the Government of Singapore have agreed to not proceed with the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) trial in the Port of Singapore. The focus instead will be on enhancing container and trade security through risk management and a total supply chain security approach, rather than the resource-intensive 100% scanning effort of SFI. (8/21/08).

TSA – TWIC compliance poster

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a

compliance poster designed to remind truckers and other individuals who need unescorted access to marine facilities of the importance of obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential. (8/28/08).

USCG – TWIC compliance date – various ports

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that waterfront facilities within the Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Baltimore, Delaware Bay, Mobile, Lower Mississippi River, Ohio Valley, Pittsburgh, and San Diego must enforce, commencing not later than December 30, 2008, the requirement for persons seeking unescorted access to the facilities to have a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

73 Fed. Reg. 50721 (August 28, 2008).

MARAD – advisory re Gulf of Aden

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an

Advisory alerting mariners to be vigilant when navigating through the Gulf of Aden. To the extent possible, keep at least 35 nautical miles off the Yemen coast, at least 50 nautical miles from Socotra Island, and as far as possible off the coast of Somalia. Masters should maintain 24-hour piracy watches and be wary of approaching small craft. Four vessels have been hijacked in recent days and two more were attacked. Coalition warships intervened and helped prevent two of the attacks. (8/22/08).

GAO – supply chain security

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on supply chain security. The report found that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has worked with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and with counterpart agencies worldwide to enhance supply chain security. Challenges remain, particularly with regard to the legislative mandate to scan 100% of US-bound cargo containers. Many foreign countries are resistant to such an effort, convinced that it is counter-productive. Due to lack of funding, resources would have to be diverted from other security measures if 100% scanning were implemented. The measure would affect trade with developing countries disproportionately.

GAO-08-538 (8/18/08).

CBP – container seals on maritime cargo

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice stating that, effective October 15, 2008, all maritime containers in transit to the United States are required to be sealed with a seal meeting the International Organization for Standardization Publicly Available Specification (ISO/PAS) 17712 standard. The requirement for container security standards was first established by section 204 of the

SAFE Port Act. Section 1701 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 tightened the requirement by directing the Department of Homeland Security to promulgate standards for sealing containers by April 1, 2008. This statute further provides that, if those container seal standards are not promulgated, requirements of the ISO/PAS standard will automatically come into effect on October 15. The notice goes on to state that vessel carriers must transmit, via the Vessel Automated Manifest System (AMS), all seal numbers to CBP at least 24 hours before cargo is laden aboard a vessel at a foreign port. Note: Congress has made the maritime industry a whipping boy in its on-going dispute with the Department of Homeland Security. Rather than try to ameliorate the burden, CBP is exacerbating the problem. It is uncertain whether there are enough container seals on the market that meet this standard to fulfill the upcoming demand surge. It is also uncertain whether there are sufficient CBP officers on the docks to examine all of the arriving containers. Reluctantly, I must advise carriers to start requiring shippers that utilize containers that are bound for or likely to transit through US ports to utilize approved container seals and to include on the manifest the seal number for each such container. 73 Fed. Reg. 46029 (August 7, 2008).

USCG – TWIC update for mariners

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued an

update reminding US mariners that the deadline for credentialed mariners to have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is April 15, 2009. Failure to obtain and hold a TWIC may result in suspension or revocation of the individual’s mariner credentials. (8/6/08).

TSA – false statements regarding security background checks

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an interim rule prohibiting public transportation agencies, railroad carriers, and their respective contractors and subcontractors from knowingly misrepresenting Federal guidance or regulations concerning security background checks for certain individuals. The rule comes into effect immediately. Comments on the rule should be submitted by September 2.

73 Fed. Reg. 44665 (July 31, 2008).

Hearing on nuclear detection architecture

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted an oversight hearing on the

Global Nuclear Detection Architecture. Committee Chair Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) discussed redundancies and gaps in the current system. Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME) discussed the importance of a multi-layered defense. Mr. Charles Gallaway and Mr. Mark Mullen, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, testified concerning the status of the program. Mr. David C. Maurer, Government Accountability Office, testified on the challenges faced in implementing the architecture, including efforts to enhance detection of radiological and nuclear materials on small vessels. Ms. Dana A. Shea, Congressional Research Service, testified concerning the development of the program and various policy issues related thereto. Mr. Robert F. Nesbit, The MITRE Corporation, testified that it would be very difficult to detect a nuclear device in transit. (7/16/08).

USCG – training requirements for escorts

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) regarding training requirements for escorts on regulated facilities and vessels. (7/10/08).

USCG – TWIC implementation – North Carolina & Texas

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that owners and operators of waterfront facilities in USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones North Carolina, Cape Fear River, Corpus Christi, and Port Arthur must implement access control procedures utilizing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) no later than November 28.

73 Fed. Reg. 40739 (July 16, 2008).

G8 Summit – statement on counter-terrorism

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The White House released a statement of the national leaders attending the Summit of the Group of Eight (G8) on

Counter-Terrorism. The leaders acknowledge the central role of the United Nations in countering terrorism and call on all UN Member States to implement appropriate measures and relevant Security Council resolutions. (7/8/08)

USCG – TWIC compliance date for Great Lakes

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that owners and operators of waterfront facilities located within USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones Buffalo, Duluth, Detroit, Lake Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie must implement access control procedures utilizing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) no later than October 31.

73 Fed. Reg. 39323 (July 9, 2008).

USCG – TWIC compliance date for Great Lakes

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:58:20 GMT

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program compliance date for owners and operators of facilities located within the USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) Zones of Buffalo, Duluth, Detroit, Sault Ste. Marie, and Lake Michigan is October 31, 2008. This date is in addition to the October 15, 2008 compliance date for facilities located in the COTP Zones of Boston, Northern New England, and Southeastern New England. Further compliance dates will be announced in the future. A Framework of expected compliance dates will, though, provide guidance regarding this point. By April 15, 2009, all US port facilities must be in compliance and all credentialed US mariners must be in possession of a TWIC. (7/2/08).