Ports play an integral role in global economics. The United States has more than 300 sea and river ports and there are more than 700 worldwide ports that ship to the United States.
Security at the ports has been a widely debated topic with large cargo clearly making for a great target for a vast array of terrorist attacks. Despite the potential terrorist threats though, port security has proven to be a difficult issue. While some government officials have stated it is nearly impossible to secure the ports, others have said the consequences of not securing the ports could be disastrous.
One of the major complications with port security is that it requires the combined efforts of many agencies.
The Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection handle port security in the United States while local law enforcement and the FBI also play a role in protecting them.
Increased security measures require vessels to give 96 hours of notice prior to arriving at any U.S. port and there are also special rules for any vessels carrying potentially dangerous cargo.
Protection zones became another increased security measure with vessels required to stay clear of Navy ships. There are also protection zones around facilities, such as nuclear power plants, which could be potential targets.
Additionally, each port also has extra rules and security measures specific to that port.
