Floating illumination devices, radar detection systems, x-ray cargo inspection – it sounds like a scene from a science fiction movie, but there these products were, on display at the Maritime Security Expo in the Long Beach Convention Center this week as representatives from ports and harbors worldwide converged to view the latest technologies and discuss new strategies for security and protection.
“We’re always trying to leverage new technologies, to improve what we have,” said Cosmo Perrone, Security Director at the Port of Long Beach. Perrone could not discuss which technologies interested him, but touted new security practices at the port that include underwater surveillance systems. The Port of Long Beach is seen as a leader in the industry when it comes to protection, at a time when security has never been considered more paramount.
“I think we’re in the leading group in terms of applying our security systems,” Perrone says.
One of the principal topics of discussion at this year’s MSE was attack prevention, in the wake of fears that terrorist organizations are becoming more intelligent. Ports and harbors spend millions each year to ensure that their facilities are secure and that no illegal cargo is smuggled into the country.
“A lot of [technology] hasn’t changed that much, it’s just that bad guys are finding new ways to get around the barriers we’ve set up,” said Michael Rosenberg, Vice President of Homeland Security at E.J. Krause Associates. Rosenberg indicated that, these days, terrorists don’t necessarily have to attack – they only have to indicate that there may be an attack. This keeps ports and harbors on constant high alert.
“You only have to be wrong once. We remain vigilant because we have to,” Rosenberg says. “That’s the purpose of this event, to bring everyone updated on all of the latest products, technologies and services as well as discuss all the important issues facing protection and security.”
One heavily-utilized technology is X-ray systems to inspect cargo containers, similar to the X-ray machines that inspect your luggage at airports. The purpose is to ensure that no unwanted cargo is coming into the country through cargo ships. Varian Medical Systems was on hand at the MSE, providing information on their X-ray systems.
The Port of Long Beach currently uses cargo X-ray inspection technology provided by Nuctech, a Chinese technology company. Varian is hoping that American ports will prefer to have their inspection systems provided by an American company (Varian is based in Las Vegas).
Long Beach-based engineering firm Moffat & Nichol was also on hand, offering their services to ports across the nation. The firm is currently working with the Port of Long Beach to develop new fiber-optic communication systems, under federal security grants.
Other topics at the conference included a rise in open-seas piracy and other security concerns, but the week was an overall positive one for the Port of Long Beach. Serving as a co-sponsor alongside the Port of Los Angeles, the harbors were able to take Senatorial legislators and their staffs on tours that Perrone says helped them understand operations.
“To have them come and look at the Port firsthand, it gives them a new view of how important the ports are to the national economy,” he said. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles combine to form the nation’s largest cargo importer, handling 40% of the country’s incoming goods.
The sheer amount of cargo coming through the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles each day makes them perhaps the most important harbor in America, from a security perspective. With the help of training and security technologies like those at this week’s MSE, Perrone and other security directors are staying on their toes in this time of economic and safety uncertainty.