GAO: Good News Regarding the Security of U.S. Ports?

A report by the bipartisan Government Accountability Office indicates that the DHS has made notable progress in implementing   the SAFE Port Act.   Well done, the Department of Homeland Security (and other related agencies)!  Reading between the lines, it's clear that there's still room for improvement but I'm prepared to applaud all the progress the GAO can find. 

"OVERALL PORT SECURITY."    The good news:  According to the report, federal agencies have improved overall port security by:

1. Establishing committees to share information with local port stakeholders.
2. Taking steps to establish interagency operations centers to monitor port activities.
3. Conducting operations such as harbor patrols and vessel escorts.
4. Writing port-level plans to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and testing such plans through exercises.
5. Assessing the security at foreign ports.  (GAO)

The less good news:  Some of the agencies---e.g., the Coast Guard--- don't have all the money/resources they need to meet the SAFE Port Act's requirements to expand their security operations.  (GAO) 

According to Gov.Track.US, the estimated cost of this legislation over the 2007-2011 period is $26 per American.  That seems pretty reasonable. Shouldn't someone make sure they get the money they need to do this?   I would definitely chip in another $20 to make our ports more secure....

SECURITY AT SPECIFIC FACILITIES.   The good news:  About 3000 individual facilities have improved security through::

1. Writing facility-specific plans.
2. Inspecting facilities to determine compliance with their plans.
3. Developing special identification cards for workers to help prevent terrorists from getting access to secure areas  (GAO).
   

The less good news:  "Challenges" in meeting the requirements of the act to expand the scope of security/speed up implementation. "For example, the Transportation Security Administration missed the act’s deadline to implement the identification card program at 10 selected ports because of delays in testing equipment and procedures" (GAO).

SECURITY OF CARGO CONTAINERS. The good news:  Federal programs intended to increase the security of cargo containers are also improving as a result of efforts of agencies to:

1. To identify high-risk cargo.
2. Expanding partnerships with other countries to screen containers before they depart for the United States.
3. Work with international organizations to develop a global framework for container security.(GAO)

The less good news:   More "challenges" for federal agencies in implementing the requirements. "For example, Customs and Border Protection must test and implement a new program to scan 100 percent of all incoming containers overseas—a departure from its existing risk-based programs."(GAO)

Overall assessment:  Improved, but some challenges remain.

BACKSTORY.  In 2002, Congress enacted the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). (full report 1)  This act was designed to impose a "wide range" of improvements to the security of US ports and waterways.  It required:

1. Vulnerability assessments for port facilities and vessels.
    
2. Security plans to mitigate identified risks for the national maritime system, ports, port facilities, and vessels.
    
3. Development of  a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), a biometric identification card to help restrict access to secure areas to only authorized personnel.
4. Establishment of a process to assess foreign ports. (full report 1)

The Department of Homeland Security is in charge of administering and enforcing its regulations and of striking the necessary balance between security issues and facilitation of trade.

The SAFE Port Act of 2006 made adjustments to the MTSA.(full report 1)   The SAFE Port altered some of the original programs and added others.  It codified the Container Security Initiative and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.  These are two pro grams designed to reduce threats associated with container cargo. (full report 1)  In addition, it :

1. Required "interagency operational centers" to be set up at ports.
2. Set a schedule and fee restrictions for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (biometric i.d. card).
3. Required that all containers entering high-volume US ports be scanned for radiation sources by December 31, 2007.
4. Required that additional data for targeting cargo containers for inspection be made available to Customs and Border Protection(full report 1).
    

The full report (pages 48-51) contains a list of prior GAO reports and other "products" relevant to this topic.

LINKED

Highlights of GAO-08-126T, a testimony before the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism; Committee on Homeland Security; House of Representatives (GAO)

MARITIME SECURITY:  The SAFE Port Act: Status and Implementation One Year Later (full report)