TRW TO PERFORM U.S. PORT SECURITY ASSESSMENTS

TRW TO PERFORM U.S. PORT SECURITY ASSESSMENTS    The U.S. Coast Guard has hired TRW Inc. to survey security at the country’s top 55 commercial and military seaports.
   “This issue is a very high priority for the Bush Administration and the Department of Transportation,” said Rear Adm. Richard E. Bennis, associate undersecretary of transportation for maritime and land security. “With more than 25,000 miles of navigable waterways and over 350 ports, the nation’s maritime system presents one of our greatest security challenges.”
   Under a “blanket purchase agreement,” TRW will develop “model port security guidelines,” which were recommended by the August 2000 Report of the Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports. These guidelines will also be used to help port authorities evaluate security conditions and make improvements.
   The so-called port vulnerability assessments are in line with the Transportation Department’s new Port Security Grants Program, which is funded by Congress at $93.3 million for fiscal 2002. “These competitive grants will be awarded in June to critical national seaports to finance the cost of enhancing facility and operational security,” DOT said.
   President Bush’s proposed fiscal 2003 budget includes additional funding for new port security initiatives, including port vulnerability assessments, Coast Guard maritime safety and security teams, and port intelligence and investigative teams.