Maritime and Ports

Battle rages over Baltimore port security
Congress mandates that port security equipment purchased with DHS grants must be produced in the United States; DHS argues that if better equipment is produced by non-U.S. company, it should be allowed to buy it; the debate intensifies
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First U.S. Littoral Combat Ship completes testing
Ship’s propulsion plant will power the ship at cruise speeds out to ranges exceeding 3,500 nautical miles and will also allow the ship to sustain sprint speeds over 40 knots
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New Jersey's Stevens Tech to lead research on port security
Hoboken is poised to become a center for research into port security
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Robot sub recharger
Autonomous underwater vehicles perform more and more missions for both scientific research and security; charging their batteries, though, has always been a problem; a new patent application offers a solution
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U.S., Jordan align cargo security standards
The new arrangement will enhance compatibility between Jordanian and U.S. cargo security programs
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China in campaign to impriove coastal water, inland waterways security
China has a long coast and many rivers and canals; there are about 200,000 boats and ship plowing these waters, the the Chinese authorities want them to be able to communicate more effectively with security and law enforcement; U.K. company helps
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Scientists scan boats for radiation
Scientists from several national labs collect radiation data in Puget Sound with help form nationwide program
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French security firm in anti-piracy protection contract
The lawless waters off the coast of lawless Somalia have offered pirates lucrative targets; the nominal Somali government contracts a French security firm to introduce some order and security in the country’s territorial water
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DHS: 2012 deadline for U.S.-bound cargo screening unrealistic
DHS says that Congressionally mandated deadline for 100 percent inspection of U.S.-bound cargo containers is unrealistic; what is more, it is unnecessary
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School of Robofish forms basis for underwater robot teams
Most ocean robots require periodic communication with scientist or satellite intermediaries to share information, but new robots can work cooperatively communicating only with each other
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DHS launches 3 transportation initiatives
The Global Entry pilot program, the Passenger Service Program, and an expanded Model Ports Initiative, intended to strengthen customer service at U.S. ports of entry
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U.S. military shoots downs SCUD-like target missile in test
Lockheed Martin successfully tests sea-based missile interceptor; defending ships against missile attacks would be useful in the Persian Gulf, among other hot spots
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Port worker ID program faces more delays
TWIC faces more delays: The help line at Lockheed Martin, the contractor in charge of implementing the post security program, take on average 16 minutes to answer calls — and government studies that most callers hang up after an average wait of eight minutes
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Surveillance systems for Singapore
The Port of Singapore is the world’s largest container transshipment hub, handling around 27 million containers last year; U.K. CCTV company wins large contract to secure the port
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Investigators find gaps in port security program
GAO finds flaws in DHS’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program; a 2005 GAO report found many of the companies were receiving the reduced cargo scrutiny without the required full vetting by DHS; there were some improvements, but much remains to be done
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