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Start of Secure Freight Initiative announced | 12.08.2006 | 06:13:29 | Views: 4512 | ID: December 8 '06: A Department of Homeland Security press release Thursday announced the beginning of a new port security initiative which will focus on cooperative efforts between US homeland security officials and foreign ports in an effort to place an emphasis on securing cargo shipments at the point of origin. The Secure Freight Initiative has been endorsed by a "broad coalition of terminal operators, ocean carriers, and shippers, who pledged to support this effort at facilities they operate overseas," the press release announced. CNET reported the details of the plan which will be spearheaded by a $30 million federal grant "to install radiation portal monitors" as well as an additional $30 million "to fund radiography equipment." Six foreign ports: Port Qasim in Pakistan, Puerto Cortes in Honduras, Southampton in the UK, Port Salalah, Oman, the Port of Singapore, and Port Busan's Gamman Terminal in Korea will all participate in the program. CNET reported, "Starting early next year, containers will be scanned using a combination of existing and new technology just before they leave a participating port." US officials hope that by placing the security measures on the port of origin, shipments coming into US ports will have a less-likely chance of containing any possible dangerous materials or weapons. In comments given before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the Secure Freight Initiative "will allow us to expedite large portions of the inbound ... and focus with more precision on the unknown."
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