The Port of Opportunity

The Port of Opportunity

February 22, 2006

Washington has been abuzz that Dubai Ports World (DPW), a state-owned company from the United Arab Emirates will take over port operations at six U.S. ports from Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation (P&O), a British firm. The controversy has provoked unprecedented actions in Washington – a potential presidential veto and bipartisan opposition. Beyond the question of the proposed DPW/P&O merger, there is no question that port security deserves closer attention than the Bush administration is giving it. The facts are not pretty:

• The administration has yet to make security at our nation’s ports a real priority. Since 9/11, we have spent three times more on aviation security than maritime security. This is fighting the last war, not planning for the next attack. While all cargo manifests are screened, only 6 percent of the cargo that comes into the United States is physically inspected. Better technology and more personnel are needed, but the Bush administration refuses to make the investment.
  
  
• If we want to adequately protect our nation’s ports we need to properly fund their security. The Coast Guard has estimated that it would cost roughly $5.4 billion dollars to improve security at our ports. Despite this estimate, last year Congress only allocated $175 million in port security grants and $708 million overall. As a result, significant security gaps remain.
  
  
• The volume of our ports and the activity within them demand more personnel to protect them. U.S. ports handle 2.5 billion tons of cargo each year (pdf), accounting for more than 20 percent of the nation's GDP. Volume is expected to double by 2020. With 300 ports for the Coast Guard to patrol and protect it is imperative that the agency receive the funding and manpower to secure these vital economic facilities.