EUROPEAN TERMINAL OPERATORS JOIN SECURE PORT INITIATIVE

EUROPEAN TERMINAL OPERATORS JOIN SECURE PORT INITIATIVE    Major European terminal operators controlled by the global port groups Hutchison Port Holdings and PSA Corp. have joined the “smart and secure tradelanes” port security program.
   The terminal operators are located at three major European ports: Rotterdam, Antwerp and Felixstowe. Hutchison controls the biggest terminal operator in Rotterdam and owns the port of Felixstowe. PSA owns Hesse-Nord Natie, the biggest port company in Antwerp.
   Global Terminal in the port of New York/New Jersey, said it has also joined the security initiative.
   In a joint statement, the terminal companies involved said that they have installed automated security systems to improve end-to-end security. They are equipped with tracking software and automatic identification systems.
   Launched last year, the “smart and secure tradelanes” initiative aims to place electronic seals on containers, track their whereabouts and ensure that they have not been tampered with.
   In March, containers equipped with electronic seals began transporting products from facilities of Europe Container Terminals at the port of Rotterdam to container handling facilities operated by Global Terminal at the port of New York/New Jersey.
   The ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Felixstowe together account for nearly half of all container shipments from Europe to the United States.
   The terminal operators said that the security system is currently operational at 15 major ports in Europe, the United States, Latin America and Asia.
   The ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Felixstowe also participate in the government-controlled Container Security Initiative between U.S. Customs and overseas customs administrations.
   “We’re very pleased that Hutchison Port Holdings’ port facilities in Rotterdam and Felixstowe are the first in Europe to be outfitted with ‘smart and secure tradelanes’ proven security technologies,” said John Meredith, group managing director of the Hong Kong-based global terminal operator.
   Hutchison’s operations at the port of Hong Kong have conducted a pilot program to ship more than 100 “smart containers” this year to ports on the U.S. West Coast.
   “As one of the leading terminals in the port of New York/New Jersey, it is critical that we continue to pursue increased container and terminal security,” said Dave Brady, administrative vice president of Global Terminal and Container Services.