U.S. and Hong Kong (2003)

13 June 2003

Homeland Security Department Outlines Approach to Port Security

(Note: In the fact sheet "billion" equals 1,000 million.)

(begin fact sheet)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Press Secretary
June 2003 - Fact Sheet

PORT SECURITY: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

THE LAYERED STRATEGY COMES TOGETHER

"Watching Container Number 3091778"

A fictional container of auto parts (Container Number 78) is being shipped from a supplier in China through the Port of Hong Kong on its way to the Port of Los Angeles. The container is being shipped from the Chinese manufacturer to a large auto parts supplier in Riverside, California.

Before it leaves:

-- The company responsible for the container's shipment has taken steps on its own to prevent unauthorized access to the container, by joining the Department's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). As a result of the company's supply chain security audit, they took steps to increase lighting at their shipping facility, improve fencing and upgrade video surveillance equipment.

-- The shipping company transmits the complete DHS-required manifest information, 24 hours before the container is loaded on the ship.

-- The DHS Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) analyzes the manifest information by checking it against a sophisticated Automated Targeting System (ATS).

-- CBP officers stationed in the Port of Hong Kong (under agreement with the Government through the Container Security Initiative -- CSI) review the results of the automated analysis and consult with their host country counterparts.

-- After the analysis and local review, the shipping company is given an "OK to load" message.

-- Through Operation Safe Commerce [Department], DHS and DOT [Department of Transportation] are jointly exploring new innovative methods and utilizing technology to ensure that no one can gain unauthorized access to the container at this or at any point in the journey to its final destination.

The Voyage:

-- Once the vessel is on its way to the Port of Los Angeles, CBP transmits the manifest information to the Coast Guard and TSA.

-- No later than 96 hours before entering the United States, the vessel operator sends an electronic message to the Coast Guard, identifying the ship and all crew members on board.

-- The Coast Guard uses the cargo manifest information along with the information about the crew and the vessel itself to determine whether or not the vessel should be considered a high threat vessel. If necessary, a large cutter could intercept the ship hundreds of miles offshore.

-- Though the cargo in container number 3091778 is deemed low risk, the Coast Guard finds serious questions about several members of the crew and orders a boarding party to meet and board the vessel before it enters Long Beach harbor.

-- As the vessel approaches the California coast, it is acquired on radar by the joint Coast Guard/Marine Industry-operated Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). The VTS alerts the local Coast Guard office, and an armed boarding party, consisting of specially trained members of the Coast Guard-Sea Marshals, and CBP, board the vessel outside the port and interview the captain and crew.

-- Satisfied that the vessel and the crew are a low threat, they allow the vessel to proceed to its berth for unloading, but maintain a vigilant presence in key areas on the ship during its transit. If there was continued suspicion about the ship, it might have been held outside the harbor at anchor.

Docked at a U.S. port:

-- The vessel is met by members of the CBP Contraband Enforcement Team (CET), who with a copy of the manifest in hand, verify that only those containers expected to be offloaded are in fact, all that are unloaded.

-- Despite its low risk status, container number 3091778 is selected for a non-intrusive screening. Inspectors noted that the container was stowed on the ship in an area with ready access by crew members. The seal on the container door appeared to have been scratched by a sharp object.

-- As the cargo is being unloaded, a Coast Guard port state control team arrives to examine the vessel and ensure it complies with safety requirements set by the International Maritime Organization. Results of the examination, including the details of any deficiencies, will be entered into data bases documenting its record.

-- While awaiting further screening, the container is observed by new video surveillance equipment purchased with a federal port security grant. New fencing and lighting in the container yard, also purchased with federal grant money, prevents unauthorized persons from gaining access to the terminal facility and the container.

-- Within hours of being offloaded, container number 3091778 is screened by a non-intrusive full-truck gamma ray system. Inspectors note that the contents appear to be automobile parts, which matches the document description.

-- Container number 3091778 is released to be picked up for transportation to the importer's premises.

-- Container number 3091778 arrives at its destination in Riverside, California with its cargo intact.

(end fact sheet)