Security Briefs Jan. 2 - 8
The Latest Headlines:
- Ridge Nominated to Head Homeland Security Department
- Con-Way Given Approval for Customs Self Assessment
- Terrorists Control 15 Cargo Ships, US Says
- Con-Way Given Approval for Customs Self Assessment
Ridge Nominated to Head Homeland Security Department
On the first day of the new Congress, President Bush sent his nomination of Tom Ridge to head the new Homeland Security Department to the Senate, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.Ridge, who has been serving the president as Director of the Office of Homeland Security, was expected to be nominated to the new cabinet position, AP said.
Bush also nominated Navy Secretary Gordon England to be Ridge’s deputy, asking the Senate to confirm both quickly.
Con-Way Given Approval for Customs Self Assessment
Con-Way Transportation Services Inc., a subsidiary of CNF Inc., has received approval from the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency to join the agency’s customs self assessment program, the company said Jan. 8.The approval covers less-than-truckload carriers Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Western Express and Con-Way Canada Express. The company’s Con-Way NOW expedited freight service provider had previously been given approval from the agency.
Under the program, bar-coded identification cards are given to drivers, which upon display, don’t need to present any other documentation to cross the U.S.-Canada border.
The plan is just one of the methods both the United States and Canadian government are working on clearing delays at the border that were caused by increased security after Sept. 11, 2001. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
Terrorists Control 15 Cargo Ships, US Says
Intelligence officials with the U.S. government said that it has identified approximately 15 cargo freighters around the world that they believe are controlled by al Qaeda, or could be easily used by the terrorist organization, the Washington Post reported.Since Sept. 11, 2001, government officials have feared the use of transportation networks, including airlines, trucks and ocean-faring ships, as terrorist weapons.
Officials said that these 15 ships could be used to transport personel, bombs, cash or other materials over the high seas, the Post reported.
In trying to keep track of all ocean-going traffic, the U.S. government has found it difficult to keep tabs on all the ships involved in the largely unregulated global maritime industry, the Post said.
The United States has begun more closely monitoring cargo being loaded and offloaded at U.S. ports, as well as who makes up the crews of these ships, stowaways and individuals who appear to be monitoring port activity in an effort to secure ports from attack, the Post said. Transport Topics
