Maritime Transportation Security Act
Ports Praise President’s Signing of Security Legislation
Public Port Authorities are commending President Bush for signing two key pieces of legislation that combined establish a framework for protecting the United States from maritime terrorism. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Maritime Transportation Security Act were both signed into law at the White House yesterday. The new Department of Homeland Security will coordinate all border security functions, including those that will be responsible for maritime security, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs Service, the Transportation Security Administration and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The new Department will take the lead in implementing much of the Maritime Transportation Security Act. “We applaud this historic effort to facilitate a coordinated approach to the imperative task of securing our borders and our ports,” said Kurt J. Nagle, President of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). “By creating a united front against terrorist threats to the nation, President Bush and Congress have boldly taken action that we believe is essential in protecting the vital interests of the U.S. port industry and our overall national economy and security,” Nagle continued. “U.S. ports handle 95 percent of overseas trade by volume and support the mobilization and deployment of our armed forces.”
Hearing on Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004
The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will conduct a hearing on the Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004 (H.R. 4251) on May 6, 2004. The bill, if enacted, would, among other things, provide for in rem liability for a vessel used in violation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act and provide for inspection of towing vessels. (HK Law).
GAO: Some Coast Guard Duties Suffer
The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted a hearing which discussed the Coast Guard's move to the Department of Homeland Security. JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure, U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) testified that USCG levels of effort in some mission areas, such as fisheries enforcement and drug interdiction, have dropped sharply since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
GAO: Better Planning Needed on ID Card Program
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a Report stating that better planning is needed to develop and operate the maritime worker identification card program. The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue a worker ID card that uses biometrics to control access to secure areas in ports and on ships. The program is delayed, in large part because (1) officials had difficulty obtaining timely approval to
MTSA Hearing Scheduled for June 9
The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will conduct a hearing on June 9 to examine implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). Source: HK Law
DHS Port Security Grants
The President’s FY 2005 request includes $46 million in port security grants to be administered by the Office of Domestic Preparedness. The Maritime Transportation Security Act authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, to make port security grants to port authorities, facility operators, and state and local governments. These grants may be used to correct vulnerabilities in port security and ensure compliance with Area Maritime Transportation
CG Authorization Act … The Senate Version
In addition to the proposed amendment to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) [discussed in Friday’s edition of this newsletter], the Senate version of the Coast Guard Authorization Act (S. 733) has other sections of interest. The measure, if enacted, would amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) to require non-tank vessels of 400 gross tons or greater to have vessel response plans (VRPs) similar to those required of tank vessels
Coast Guard Budget Request & Reauthorization
The Administration requests $7.5 billion for fiscal year 2005 for the Coast Guard. This request is $430 million, or approximately 6.1 percent, more than the amount appropriated for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2004. Included in the request is $5.2 billion for Operating Expenses, $101 million to implement the Maritime Transportation Security Act, and $942.6 million for Acquisitions, Construction and Improvements (including $678 million for the Deepwater Capability Replacement Project).
Coast Guard Receives Majority of Maritime Security Plans
The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that 90 percent of vessels and port facilities turned in security plans as required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Penalties are being issued to those that have not submitted any of the information required.“Security in America’s ports is a shared responsibility,” said Rear Adm. Larry Hereth, director of port security for the Coast Guard. “We have made tremendous progress protecting the ports
Steps Aimed to Enhance Security
Within one year of President Bush’s signing of the Maritime Transportation Security Act on November 25, 2002 U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge today announced approval and publication of the final maritime industry security rules which are designed to significantly improve protection of America’s ports, waterways, and ships from a terrorist attack. “With 95 percent of our nation’s overseas cargo carried by ship
Delivery of Petroleum to Regions Impacted by Hurricane Sandy
The American Maritime Partnership today released the following statement regarding the American maritime industry working to ensure the delivery of petroleum to regions impacted by Hurricane Sandy. "Nothing is more important right now than the safety and security of our fellow
'Sandy' Aftermath Sees Jones Act Waivers Agreed
U.S. Maritime Industry not opposing Jones Act waivers to ship petroleum to the Northeast US in fuel crisis. Thee American Maritime Partnership writes to President Obama to confirm that the U.S. Maritime Industry will not oppose waivers that are necessary to facilitate the delivery of
PVA Calls for TWIC Re-Evaluation
Passenger Vessel Association Marks 10th Anniversary of Maritime Security Law; Calls for Reevaluation of TWIC. On the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Public Law 107-295)
AWO Applauds Passage of Coast Guard Bill
Maritime Workers Applaud Congressional Passage, Presidential Signature of Coast Guard Bill. On behalf of the American Waterways Operators (AWO) and its 350 member companies, AWO President & CEO Tom Allegretti thanked bipartisan leaders in Congress for passing and President Obama for
AMP Awards 2011 AOTOS to James Henry
Most Prestigious Award Given in the Transportation and Maritime Industry. The American Maritime Partnership congratulated its Chairman James Henry for receiving the 2011 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award (AOTOS) presented by the United Seaman’s Service (USS) at the 42nd annual industry
GMATS Offers Approved Security Courses
Combined Vessel, Company, and Facility Security Officer Course offered by GMATS in multiple locations. This course has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration through the quality standard system of Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
DHS Issues Maritime Security Directive
Department of homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard have issued Maritime Security Directive 104–6 (Rev 6); Guidelines for U.S. Vessels Operating in High Risk Waters. AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of Availability.
Feds Urged to Use U.S. Tonnage in SPR Moves
With Rising Gas Prices Fueling SPR Speculation, American Vessel Operators Urge Feds to Work With Industry To Prepare For Future Drawdowns. Foreign Ships Given Preference During Last Summer’s Drawdown. In a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS)
Navy League: Jones Act Vital to National Security
Navy League Policy statement Says Jones Act Vital to National Security. A recently released annual policy statement from the Navy League of the United States, Maritime Primacy & Economic Security, says the Jones Act is critical to U.S
Guantanamo Bay Coast Guard Team Mission Accomplished
San Diego based anti-terrorism unit returns after six month deployment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of 'Operation Enduring Freedom' During the deployment, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Diego members formed the Joint Task Force Guantanamo Maritime Security Detachment and were
Maritime Security & The Useless TWIC
Experience has clearly shown that the concept that the issuance of high-tech biometric transportation security cards, called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential or TWIC, could achieve these goals was fatally flawed from the beginning.
AFL-CIO Affiliate: Port Security Bill has Sensible TWIC Reforms
The House Homeland Security Committee today approved needed reforms to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program that would eliminate financial and logistical burdens faced by transportation workers under this federal security program.
OP/ED: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
On June 27, I testified on behalf of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) before the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee at a hearing that questioned the Administration’s skirting of the Jones Act during last summer’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) drawdown
Dying a Slow Death
The concept of 100% Scanning of Shipping Containers is Fading to Black The United States Congress cannot legislate technology ... but it keeps trying. A case in point is the requirement for scanning in a foreign port of all containerized cargo bound for the United States (the so-called 100%
MARAD Steps Up
The U.S. Maritime Administration & Maritime Security Initiatives The paradigm for global transportation security underwent a dramatic shift in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. In the years that followed, industry and government worked together to add layers of security