- AD | 12.10.2006 | 09:17:043116 |
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By Caroline McCarthy
Story last modified Thu Dec 07 14:23:25 PST 2006
The Departments of Homeland Security and Energy on Thursday launched an initiative to improve the technology used to scan the contents of U.S.-bound cargo at international ports to better detect nuclear and radiological materials. The Secure Freight Initiative will see $30 million go to fund radiography equipment and $30 million to install radiation portal monitors. Starting early next year, containers will be scanned using a combination of existing and new technology just before they leave a participating port.
Six ports are involved in the initial phase of the Secure Fright Initative: Port Qasim in Pakistan, Puerto Cortes in Honduras, Southampton in the United Kingdom, Port Salalah in Oman, the Port of Singapore, and Port Busan's Gamman Terminal in Korea. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security added that the initiative has received the support of a broad coalition of terminal operators, ocean carriers and shippers.
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