Puerto Cortés to Enter U.S. Container Security Initiative

Dec. 8, 2005
Honduran port implemented X-ray system that scanned 100 percent of containerized cargo

Honduras' Cortés port will be included in the US container security initiative (CSI) on January 15, becoming the first certified port in Central America, local daily La Prensa quoted US ambassador to Honduras, Charles Ford, as saying.

The acceptance of Cortés port into CSI will improve container trade between Honduras and the US as it certifies all cargo handled at the port is secure enough to travel to the US.

The measure was implemented shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. It sets a level of security conditions - to control or identify containers that might pose a security threat - that ports must meet worldwide in order to be able to ship to the US.

To qualify for the CSI, Cortés port implemented in July an X-ray technology system that would scan 100 percent of containerized cargo.

(BNamericas.com -- 12/07/05)