Nairobi, Kenya (CNSNews.com) - Fears that terrorists may use ships in the planning or execution of mass attacks have promoted port and maritime managers to put more effort into improving port security, although the financial implications such measures will have on the industry are causing concern.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is in the final stages of implementing new security measures spelled out by global industry players, including the use of x-ray equipment to scan incoming and outgoing cargo, a spokesman said here.

Port officials in many African countries do not have access to sophisticated x-ray equipment and other scanning devices, and they rely on physical inspection of containers.

The International Association of Ports and Harbors held a world conference recently in the South African city of Durban, part of global efforts to improve maritime security, launched after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Specifically, the worry is that terrorists could use shipping containers to smuggle terrorists or bomb-making equipment across borders. A container packed with explosives and possibly non-conventional material could even be itself used as a bomb.

South African police superintendent Nico du Plessis, who heads the Africa region for the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police, told the gathering that the realization that normal modes of transport could be used as weapons of mass destruction meant there was a need for "a new perspective" on securing maritime transport.

Jerry Salazar of the Panama Canal Authority said it was crucial that port and maritime sectors work together on security issues, noting the enormous effect an attack could have on the industry.

The U.S. late last year passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act, which requires American authorities to carry out assessments of security at foreign ports.

It also allows the U.S. to block entry to vessels arriving from foreign ports found to lack effective anti-terrorism measures.

U.S.-bound freight containers are expected to go through a tracking, identification and screening system, and foreign ports must enforce steps including restricting access to security-sensitive areas, carrying out background checks on staff, and using security identification cards.

Seafarers are also required to carry acceptable means of identification.

The concerns also led to U.S. Customs Service to sign Container Security Initiative (CSI) agreements with Hong Kong and Singapore late last year.

The two Asian mega-ports respectively carry the largest and second largest number of cargo containers of any ports on earth.

The CSI agreements allow U.S. officials to help their local counterparts locate suspicious cargo destined for the U.S.

New anti-terror measures adopted by the International Maritime Organization are set to take effect by mid-2004.

They require cargo ships to be tagged with electronic devices that will beam back information about the ship, cargo and crew. Security officers will also be stationed onboard vessels.

Underfunded African ports are concerned about the costs of upgrading the security to the expected standards.

A KPA official said the procurement of security equipment was very expensive and also required further investment for manpower training. It's feared that implementing the security measures, in the absence of financial assistance, will slow down cargo clearing time.

But the official said upgrading of port security will require countries to make parallel investment in information technology, which will in turn eliminate paperwork and speed up cargo clearing time.

African port managers meeting in Tanzania early this year called for funding from donor nations.

See also:
Asian Mega-Ports Join US Anti-Terrorist Initiative (Sept. 24, 2002)

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