DOT WANTS MARITIME SECURITY TO START AT CARGO ORIGIN

DOT WANTS MARITIME SECURITY TO START AT CARGO ORIGIN    In its efforts to keep terrorism out of the maritime and seaport industries, the U.S. Transportation Department wants to strengthen the security chain as far back to the cargo’s origin as possible.
   Michael P. Jackson, deputy security of the DOT, told shipping executives at the TransComp 2001 in Charlotte, N.C., by video conference Monday that the administration wants to improve maritime and seaport security by “pushing it back further into the ocean.”
   Some of the ways this has been done already is the Coast Guard’s requirement for vessel arrival information 96 hours in advance of arrival in port instead of in 24 hours, which was the practice prior to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Coast Guard has recently instituted a sea marshall program to escort and inspect vessels upon entering ports.
   In the coming weeks, DOT will also consider other methods and practices to improve timeliness and detail of ocean freight transportation data to federal agencies with an international trade oversight, Jackson said.
   In addition, DOT is closely tracking pending legislation in Congress which promises to increase security in the maritime and seaport industries.