US Customs and Border Protection issued a press release advising that the Port of Honolulu has installed a Radiation Portal Monitor to screen vehicles and cargo departing from Pier 1 for radiation. Use of radiation monitors is part of an ongoing effort to detect and prevent the transportation of nuclear devices, dirty bombs and other items that could be used in terrorist attacks.
Researchers aboard the RRS DISCOVERY experienced waves of up to 95 feet in height - the biggest waves ever recorded. The scientists believe these waves are created by resonance where a storm builds energy into waves over the hours rather than by strong winds which are traditionally thought of the source for large waves. You can read more about the findings of British National Oceanographic Center researchers aboard the RRS DISCOVERY here.
From an industry perspective, design of vessels able to withstand large waves may need to be reconsidered in the future As a final note, waves of up to 95 feet give new meaning to so called heavy weather or force majure defenses. It will be interesting to see the impact of this data on the maritime industry.
As promised, I will start to post about port security measures and programs utilizing new and emerging technology to help help reduce the increasingly publicized venerable nature of our nation's ports.
First up is a Public/Private initiative called Operation Safe Commerce. A summary of the program is provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is also one of the participants:
Operation Safe Commerce (OSC), is a federally funded program that will conduct vulnerability assessments of sample supply chains and serve as a test-bed for new business processes and security technologies to increase the security of container shipments -- from the point of origin throughout the supply chain to the point of destination. The ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey and Tacoma/Seattle -- the nation's top three major load centers -- will work with private and public entities to identify supply chain vulnerabilities and develop improved methods and technologies to ensure the security of cargo entering and leaving the United States.
Those technologies and processes that prove successful and cost efficient under the OSC initiative will then be recommended for implementation throughout the maritime industry.
Although this program began in 2003, its goal of providing a testing ground for methods and technologies to improve security is only starting to be realized. Hopefully, we will see some best practices and technology initiatives come out of this program.
How does a maritime legal blogger not jump in on the whole Dubai Ports World controversy? - apparently I can't and in fact I am sorry it has taken me this long but I have stood by the sidelines watching in amazement at the "information" being reported in the traditional news, through statements by our elected officials and of course in blogs. Frankly, I am shocked at how out of control this whole thing has gotten and over something that should not be a big deal.
Essentially P&O Ports and DP World are stevedores and terminal operators of terminals around the world including in the United States. Security at US terminals is governed by individual Facility Security Plans approved by the US Coast Guard and are the responsibility of the terminal owner and operator. The Terminals in question in the DP World takeover of P&O Ports in the US include more than 20 terminals in the US including terminals owned by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey the Port of Miami, Miami Dade County and the Maryland Port Administration among others. These governmental entities along with the terminal operator are responsible for the port security plans. The regulations can be found here.
Suggesting the a takeover of P&O Ports by DP World would create a security risk is just silly and is clearly being done for political purposes which in no way will result in greater security at our nations ports.
Instead of spending significant airtime on this political debate which has resulted in the odd pairings of George Bush and Jimmy Carter on the same side with Barbara Boxer and Bill Frist on the other, it would be more fruitful to spend time raising consciousness about the venerability of our nation's ports - regardless of the operator in place there.
I have made mention of maritime security technology in the past but I will try to post about specific examples and available equipment over the next few days to do my part in raising the real issue here.
An interesting article at Bloomberg.com details the financial crisis at the US Coast Guard and the aging vessels, helicopters and other equipment it uses to carry out its mission.
I came across a blog that has been around for awhile but which I had missed until now. The Maritime Homeland & Port Security Blog written by the folks at Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. (WPT). WPT develop products based on a technology they call WhisprWave which they describe as follows:
Since it's founding in 1995, Wave Dispersion Technologies, Inc. (WDT) has been developing the WhisprWave® floating articulated breakwater technology to afford erosion control protection to shoreline beaches, coastal marinas, anchorages, and other areas subject to destructive or nnoying erosionary wave / wake forces. The potential uses for the WhisprWave® Technology have, over the last few years, expanded far beyond its stricly environmentally focused beach and sand erosion protection beginnings to encompass marine port security and global antiterrorism applications.
You can read more about the WhisprWave technology here. The Port Secuirty Blog is filled with interesting posts concerning the Department of Homeland Security and port security initatives in the US and abroad.
WPT also authors the Coastal Erosion Blog, which might be of interest to some.
Just finished reading Janet Maslin's review of "Devils on the Deep Blue Sea", a new book by Kristoffer A. Garin that apparently details the history of and criticizes the cruise industy. Great review and seems like a very interesting, if not harsh take on the industry. Take this passage from Maslin for example:
Among the more striking details: the business made a major leap forward when one executive realized that small cabins would be more cost-effective than roomy ones. Tiny spaces would force passengers out into public areas, where they would contribute to the crowded, festive atmosphere and be lured into spending money. The figurative cash register is everywhere; the "web of bribes" on many ships is extraordinary. Cabin attendants must pay laundry workers if they want clean sheets; waiters must pay cooks if they want to serve hot food, etc.
The book is released tomorrow, and I already have my order placed with Amazon!
