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1 1 (February 24, 2003)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthabauv0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS21079 Updated February 24, 2003 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Maritime Security: Overview of Issues John F. Frittelli Transportation Analyst Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, port security has emerged as a significant part of the overall debate on U.S. homeland security. Many port areas have vulnerabilities to terrorist attack because of their size, easy accessibility by water and land, proximity to urban areas, and the tremendous amount of cargo they handle. To raise port security standards, Congress passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-295) in November 2002. In the 108th Congress, implementation issues involving various security provisions in the Act may be addressed. Some of the provisions in the Act raise broad policy issues, such as finding the right balance between security and commerce, and between standard versus port- specific security measures. Congress may give consideration to assigning roles and responsibilities to the various government agencies and private stakeholders that engage inportactivity. Congress may also continue debate on how to generate funds for further improving the security infrastructure of ports. This report will be updated periodically. Concerns for Port Security Government leaders and security experts worry that the maritime transportation system could be used by terrorists to smuggle personnel, weapons of mass destruction, or other dangerous materials into the United States.! They are also concerned that ships in U.S. ports, particularly large commercial cargo ships or cruise ships, could be attacked by terrorists. A large-scale terrorist attack at a U.S. port, experts wam, could not only cause widespread death and damage, but also paralyze the maritime trading system, which could quickly disrupt U.S. and global commerce. Even before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, government officials and security experts were concerned about the security of U.S. ports. In the fall of 2000, the Interagency Commission on Crime and Security in U.S. Seaports noted the vulnerability of U.S. seaports to terrorism. The report noted that while the FBI then considered the 1 Other CRS Reports on this topic are: CRS Report RL31733, Port and Maritime Security: Background and Issuesfor Congress; and CRS Report RS21293, Terrorist Nuclear Attacks on Seaports: Threat and Response. Congressional Research Service * The Library of Congress

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