Homeland Security Threat Cited From
Lack of U.S. Flag Shipping, Crew Presence in U.S. Ports

Maritime TV 28may2004 

CHANTILLY, VA — Maritime TV an Internet TV channel dedicated to coverage of the maritime industry, reported today that there is deep industry and government concern about the threat to homeland security posed by the control of ships and crews in U.S. ports.

Port and maritime security have recently been a top concern among security officials in Washington. "In the attacks of September 11, clearly we saw that the airplane became the bomb," stated Ed Kittel, Chief of the Explosives Division for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in a Maritime TV video news report. "It would not take much of a leap to show that a ship could become the bomb, particularly a ship with volatile cargo."

These "boat bombs", as some have called them, such as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG tankers, have many maritime experts worried, especially after recent Department of Justice announcements about potential summer and fall terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Compounding this concern, Maritime TV news reports have highlighted government findings that foreign flag ships and crews dominate U.S. trade routes, accounting for 87% of the visits to U.S. ports in 2002. The reports have found that as the U.S. pursues its war on terror with heavy emphasis on homeland security and protection of its ports and intermodal infrastructure, the almost complete collapse of a U.S. flag merchant shipping fleet since World War II and the overwhelming presence of foreign flag ships and crews in U.S. ports present a clear and present threat.

In late April, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that stowaways aboard an Algerian-registered Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) tanker coming into Boston, may have had ties to terrorists, something that first came to light in former National Security Council Advisor Richard Clarke's new book, "Against all Enemies."

"Thousands of foreign-controlled ships manned by many tens of thousands of foreign personnel visit our many ports and navigable waterways -- many of which are registered under "flags of convenience" with owners, operators, and multinational crews that have no national relationship to the country where the ship is registered," stated Captain Dan Fuller, U.S. Merchant Marine Shipmaster and respected maritime consultant. "More American ships carrying a larger proportion of our foreign trade give the U.S. greater control over our trade, as well as significantly increased security for our ports, waterways, and adjacent communities."

Even more alarming is that with only a skeletal U.S. flag fleet left, our own military has been forced to ship sensitive mission-essential cargo aboard foreign-flagged vessels with foreign crews from countries like the Philippines and Indonesia where there is support for Al-Quaeda and other terrorist organizations. According to a recent General Accounting Office Report, about 43% of major equipment shipped in 2001 by the U.S. Department of Defense in support of overseas operations was carried on foreign-flagged ships. The GAO concluded, "There may be an increased risk of the equipment being tampered with, seized or destroyed by individuals or groups whose interests run counter to those of the United States, and an increased chance that those weapons or equipment might be used against military or civilian targets."

Many in the industry feel this trend must be reversed. "Laws, regulations, and tax policies must be thoroughly addressed and adjusted as practical and necessary to allow American citizen mariners and American ship owners and operators to effectively compete against foreign counterparts who operate under much lighter legal and tax burdens," commented Captain Fuller.

The Maritime TV channel, part of TV Worldwide (www.tvworldwide.com) network, is currently producing a series of programs highlighting the contributions of the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II surrounding the World War II Memorial Dedication in addition to video news reports on issues surrounding the decline of the U.S. flag fleet and what it means for homeland security. "During our coverage of Maritime Day and the World War II Memorial we were overwhelmed with industry and government commentary on what the demise of the U.S. flag fleet portends for homeland security," remarked Dave Gardy, CEO of the TV Worldwide network. "This controversial issue is now being looked at in a whole new light of homeland security and defense vulnerability which many say may lead to a renewed legislative effort to rebuild the U.S. flag merchant marine."

source: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=67977 3nov2005