Maritime and Ports

Canada's increasingly worried about Arctic vulnerabilities
The Arctic has immense oil reserves and mineral wealth, but Canada has been slow to protect its northern sovereignty; this becomes even more important as receding Arctic ice makes Canada’s northern frontier more accessible to uninvited guests
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Former CBP head says U.S. cargo scan plan is a "simpleton's approach"
Former head of U.S. customs says U.S. government’s plans to implement scanning of all air and sea cargo destined for the U.S. is a “simpleton’s approach” to supply chain security
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2007 Maritime Security Expo: Security challenges, business opportunities
The U.S. maritime transportation system — ports, ships, warehouses, access roads — is vast and sprawling; securing this system offers many opportunities for security-related businesses for two reasons: It is essential to the welfare and national security of the United States, and many of its nodes are vulnerable to attack and disruption
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DHS says its biometric-at-sea trial is a success
Coast Guard completes 12-months trial of technology which captures fingerprints digitally from illegal migrants apprehended at sea; Coast Guard then uses satellite technology to compare the migrant information against US VISIT’s data
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CodaOctopus delivers first of three Underwater Inspection Systems to U.S. Coast Guard
CodaOctopus delivers first of three Underwater Inspection Systems (UIS) to U.S. Coast Guard; advanced, versatile system features several advanced technologies which allow for real-time 3D underwater inspection with accurate positioning (up to 10cm) for georeferencing
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L.A.-Long Beach ports brace for TWIC registration
TWIC registration at ports will begin in mid-December; industry worries that about 20 percent of truckers, the majority of whom are Latino immigrants, may not pass the background checks
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U.S. destroyer in pursuit of hijacked tanker off the shore of Somalia
Somali pirates on Sunday hijacked a tanker carrying benzene; USS Arleigh Burke entered Somali territorial water in hot pursuit
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DHS to inspect small boats, private jets
DHS is turning its attention to better screening of private boats and planes entering the U.S.; small boat inspection to begin with a pilot program in San Diego
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Massive sensor network to monitor Hudson River
The Hudson to become the world’s largest environmental-monitoring system; system may be used to monitor cities’ water systems
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First 5,000 port employees register for TWIC
TWIC, an identification card program designed to enhance port security, has been plagued by delays cost overruns, but it is here at alst; two days ago, Wilmington, Delaware port employees were the first to register
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U.S. sea services in first unified, comprehensive maritime strategy
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard author unified maritime strategy explaining the comprehensive role of the sea services in an era of increased globalization and change
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EU hopes to tap into oceans' potential
Proud maritime history of member states notwithstanding, the European Union waited until last week to adopt a uniform, comprehensive maritime policy for the EU
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Shippers slow to adopt RFID technology
The ISO has finally released a standard based on active RFID, but many users prefer passive RFID, or none at all; in the absence of DHS mandate, adoption will likely be slow
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European businesses bitterly criticize 100% container insepction rule
European shipowners, port operators, and retailers say 100% container inspection rule will have “disastrous effects” on trade; European customs commissioner say it will result in Europe’s taxpayers footing the bill for U.S. security
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Barrier offers protection against maritime attacks
California company develops sturdy protective barrier to protect navy ships and critical infrastructure assets such as liquid natural gas facilities, bridges, water intakes for desalinization plants, and more
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