SAN PEDRO, Calif. - The Office for Domestic Preparedness has awarded the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach $6.9 million for Operation Safe Commerce Phase III, a testing program focusing on technology and procedures to increase security of inbound cargo.
The Operation Safe Commerce program, initiated in July 2002, seeks to secure the supply chain of containerized shipments of goods coming into the United States at the country of origin. The results of Operation Safe Commerce will be used in establishing national supply chain security standards. Three port complexes are participating: Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle/Tacoma and New York/New Jersey.
"Nothing is more important to me than protecting the residents, businesses and visitors of Los Angeles," said Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. "We are pleased to be playing such a vital role in protecting our ports and securing global trade."
"Our port complex is the largest in the nation and it faces daily threats. While international trade continues to grow, it is vital that we find ways to safely move cargo through our docks and our communities," said Los Angeles Councilwoman Hahn. "Los Angeles is helping to set the standard for safe and secure goods movement and this grant allows us to continue to explore new and innovative technology."
Specific goals of the Phase III Operation Safe Commerce program include:
- maintaining and communicating accurate data on cargoes
- verifying that empty containers have not been tampered with before being loaded with goods
- verifying that cargoes loaded into containers do not contain threat items
- verifying that the integrity of containers is not breached in transit
"The entire Board of Harbor Commissioners would like to thank the Transportation Security Administration and the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, including local Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, for their continued support and funding of this vital security program," said Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners President Nicholas Tonsich.
The Operation Safe Commerce program in Los Angeles and Long Beach is implemented in concert with Sandia National Laboratories.
