Mission
News
SENATORS COLLINS, MURRAY INTRODUCE BILL TO EXTEND PORT PROTECTIONS, ANTI-TERRORISM ACT
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Senators co-authored the original legislation in 2005; gain endorsements from many key groups
»Read more: United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Gorvernmental Affairs |
AFN South about SAARPSCO becoming NGO
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The risk of piracy in the Indian Ocean threatens all maritime industries in the region. AFN’s Aaron Talley reports on how it even impacts the catch of the day. Watch the AFN South report about the SAARPSCO becoming NGO…. |
… or listen to the report on AFN radio! |
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AFN South about SAARPSCO 2010 Conference
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For the past two years, Indian Ocean maritime countries have gathered together to discuss issues affecting the region. AFN’s Aaron Talley reports that the third annual meeting took place on an island paradise. Watch the AFN South report below about the SAARPSCO 2010 Conference! |
… or listen to the report on AFN radio! |
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IDRC 2010 Conference, May 30th – June 3rd
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Hans J. Niebergall will speak at the 3rd International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC Davos 2010 on May 31, 2010 and introduce SAARPSCO and its Way Forward. Between 1200 and 1500 attendees from around the world are expected to attend this special forum in Davos/Switzerland. For further info go to: www.idrc.info |
SAARPSCO 2010 Conference, May 26th – 28th
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The SAARPSCO 2010 Chairman is Lieutenant Colonel Andre D. Ciseau, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Ports Authority. The Seychelles venue for the SAARPSCO 2010 will be at Le Meridien Hotel and Conference Center from 26 – 28 May 2010. The strategic theme of the conference is “Seafarers Cooperative Strategy for Safer Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security.” This theme is in alignment with the International Maritime Organization declaration that calendar year 2010 is the “Year of the Seafarer”. Please find the conference resolutions following this Download-Link: »SAARPSCO 2010 Conference Resolutions (DOC, 54 KB). The programme of the conference can be downloaded »here (PDF, 44 KB). |
Stopping Piracy
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In 2003 the United States Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program was established to assist in safe-guarding ports around the world. AFN’s Aaron Talley tells us how the Coast Guard is also working to bring other countries together to keep ports and ships in international waters safe. Watch the AFN Europe report below about the Coast Guard’s activities during SAARPSCO 2009 Conference! |
Port and Maritime Security Governance through International Cooperation 2009
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The conference was organized by the South Asia Regional Port Security Cooperative and took place in the Le Medidien Hotel, Pointe aux Piments (Mauritius) from September 9th -10th 2009. Conclusions of the conference can be downloaded »here (DOC, 56K). |
Partnering for a Safer Sea Conference 2008
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The conference was organized by the South Asia Regional Port Security Cooperative and took place in Nalaguraidhoo (Maldives) from May 18th to 22nd 2008. Conclusions of the conference can be downloaded »here (PDF, 2.0 MB). |
Rockefeller Wants Container Scanning Reconsidered
Congress must reconsider its mandate that the government scan all ocean containers coming into the United States, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee said Wednesday.
“I don’t think we have any choice,” said Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., in a sharp break with previous Democratic statements. “I don’t want to do it, but it’s something that can’t realistically, and in some ways responsibly, be done — and in some cases does not need to be done.” (via The Journal of Commerce Online)
»Read Full Story
GAO Report on Supply Chain Security to Congressional Requesters
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GAO-Report to Congressional Requesters: “Feasibility and Cost-Benefit Analysis Would Assist DHS and Congress in Assessing and Implementing the Requirement to Scan 100 Percent of U.S.-Bound Containers” »Full Text Download (PDF) |
Not just in the United States
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If you thought the U.S. Coast Guard only operates off the coast of the United States, think again. AFN’s Aaron Talley brings us this report about Coast Guard activities on the other side of the world. via AFN Europe |
Indian Ocean port security officials, U.S. Coast Guard agree interoperability a real weapon against African piracy
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“PORT LOUIS, Mauritius — With piracy off Africa’s coast a large focus, a historic gathering this week brought together more than 120 officials from partner nations and territories to improve port and maritime security networking throughout the Indian Ocean. It was quickly agreed the real measure of success of the second meeting of the South Asia and Africa Regional Port Security Cooperative (SAARPSCO), held Sept. 9-10 near Port Louis, was the forum itself. »Read more: United States Coast Guard |
„Supply Chain Security: Challenges to Scanning 100 Percent of U.S.-Bound Cargo Containers”, GAO – U.S. General Accountability Office
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Testimony of Stephen L. Caldwell (Director, Homeland Security and Justice) before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate. »Full Text Download (PDF) |
New Issue: “The Coast Guard Journal of Safety & Security at Sea: Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council”
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Current Issue: Summer 2009 (Volume 66, Number 2) In this Issue: 1. International Engagement 2. USCG Efforts to:
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Additionally, you may be interested in viewing the USCG Marine Safety Blog at: http://cgmarinesafety.blogspot.com. |
We especially wish to salute and congratulate our dear friends and colleagues with the United States Coast Guard!
“A Threat in Every Port” – New York Times June 14, 2009
“WHILE President Obama’s future vision of “a world with no nuclear weapons” is certainly laudable, for the present America still needs to do everything it can to prevent a terrorist from detonating such a bomb on our soil.
The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is in charge of developing a worldwide nuclear-detection system that, primarily, would use technology to monitor vehicles and shipping containers along the various transportation networks by which nuclear weapons could be smuggled into America. Yet the Government Accountability Office found last year that the detection office “lacks an overarching strategic plan,” despite the $2.8 billion a year spent on the initiative. How should the detection office proceed? [...]”
»Read more: New York Times
Container Handling in Intermodal Nodes Optimal and Secure (CHINOS)
CHINOS is an EC funded project lead by the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), Bremen/Bremerhaven. The project supports terminal operators and operators of intermodal logistics chains to exploit current challenges like increasing cargo volumes and upcoming security demands by employing innovative IT technology solutions. Processes can be optimised and accelerated tremendously by using automatic identification and condition checks with contact free reading possibilities (container RFID tags, electronic seals, optical checks) without requiring human intervention, thus dealing with commercial and security issues in one approach.
European maritime surveillance needs greater integration
The European Commission (Maritime Affairs) recently issued a Press Release regarding the publication of a report concerned with maritime surveillance:
“In a report published today, the European Commission takes the first step towards establishing a comprehensive strategy for integrated maritime surveillance for Europe. The report, in the form of a Commission Staff Working Document, describes the current state of play as regards the surveillance, monitoring, tracking, identification and reporting systems put in place by EU Member States and EU Agencies. It also identifies the next steps to be undertaken and the challenges to be resolved in order to achieve an integrated maritime surveillance network for Europe. Such an integrated and cross-sectoral network would provide essential added value for national authorities in handling a range of challenges, such as trafficking in drugs, arms and people, illegal fisheries, pollution, piracy and terrorism. Greater systems integration would also help national authorities in charge of surveillance operations become more efficient and reduce their operating costs over time. [...]”
»Source:
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/press/press_rel031108_en.html
»See also the full report:
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/pdf/maritime_surveillance_non_paper.pdf