Security Briefs - July 1 - July 7
The Latest Headlines:
- Flow of Global Trade Mostly Unaffected By New Security Rules
- Iowa to Test Trucks for Radioactive Cargo
- Terror Suspect Believed to Have Gotten CDL
- Iowa to Test Trucks for Radioactive Cargo
Flow of Global Trade Mostly Unaffected By New Security Rules
Although there was little disruption to global trade during the first day with new worldwide laws aimed at protecting shipping from terrorist attacks, the United States did deny entry to several foreign-flagged ships, Reuters reported.The new rules, signed by 147 governments, took effect on July 1 and require ports, stevedoring companies and owners of ships larger than 500 tons to draw up plans for responding to a terror threat, implement tighter security around facilities and train staff.
Adm. Thomas Collins, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, told Reuters the agency had denied entry to six out of 265 ships arriving in the United States on Thursday for failing to have valid new security certificates. Transport Topics
Iowa to Test Trucks for Radioactive Cargo
Radiation detection equipment will be installed at five weigh stations on Interstates 35 and 80 in Iowa later this year to look for radioactive cargo in heavy trucks, the Des Moines Register reported.Iowa's interstate highway system sits at the nation's crossroads, with thousands of freight-hauling trucks driving the interstate highways through Iowa every day. Some of the busiest stretches of I-80 average more than 10,000 trucks daily, while sections of I-35 average 5,000 trucks per day.
Law enforcement officers at weigh stations will also be given hand-held devices that can check for explosives, the Register reported. Transport Topics
Terror Suspect Believed to Have Gotten CDL
Mohamad Kamal Elzahabi is believed to have obtained a license to haul hazardous materials several months after he was identified as a suspected terrorist by the FBI, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported.Elzahabi was charged last month with lying to federal authorities about helping ship sophisticated portable field radios to Pakistan from 1995-97 and lying about helping a man, later convicted in Jordan as a terrorist, obtain a driver's license in Massachusetts.
The article said that Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials did not know that Elzahabi was suspected of having terrorist connections when he applied in early 2002 for a commercial license to drive a school bus and haul hazardous materials.
And as of last week, his driver's license was still valid for the transport of toxic materials, according to the Star Tribune reported. Transport Topics
