Maritime Commerce Security Plan

NPSD 41/HSPD 13 Main >> Supporting Plans >> Maritime Commerce Security Plan

The Maritime Commerce Security Plan (PDF, 25 pages - 168 KB) is one of eight plans  developed in support of the National Strategy for Maritime Security, as directed by National Security Presidential Directive-41/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-13. In addition to drawing on the expertise of federal agencies, this Plan also reflects the insight and concerns of public and private stakeholders. It was also coordinated with the other supporting plans throughout its development, especially the Maritime Transportation System Security Plan and the Maritime Infrastructure Recovery Plan because of their importance to the secure flow of commerce.

Promoting Global Supply Chain Security

The Maritime Commerce Security Plan builds on existing cargo security efforts and establishes a framework to align current and future initiatives. It will promote global supply chain security to reduce the risk that this transportation system will be used to support terrorism or criminal acts, as well as to protect lawful maritime commerce.

• Commerce security is globally important. Over 80 percent of world trade by volume moves through the maritime domain . We all share a common interest in keeping destructive forces out of the supply chain. The security of this system is critical to the prosperity and liberty of billions of people.

• International partnerships play a vital role. The global nature of maritime commerce requires that the U.S. forge partnerships with the international community to adopt standards and improve security, while improving the efficiency of the transportation system.

• Security must be embedded in everyday business practices. The more we can embed security into common business practices, the better we will be able to sustain increased levels of security. This will require close cooperation with the private sector to implement policies that will protect maritime commerce, and support a rapid recovery following a terrorist incident.

• Layered security will help protect the supply chain.  The Plan adopts a layered risk management approach to identify and minimize security threats as early as possible in the international supply chain. This tactic will create a safe, efficient, and secure supply chain that will transport only authorized people and cargo.

Recommendations

The Maritime Commerce Security Plan includes 24 recommendations to improve security, especially to help gather timely and accurate information that is essential to effective risk management. The Plan includes recommendations for expanding sources of information, gaining a more complete picture of the global supply chain, and supplementing the ability to analyze this data and accurately target threats to the maritime supply chain.

• Technology. Technology already plays a key role in identifying threats while keeping maritime commerce flowing. The Plan recommends further developing non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology to better detect chemical/biological/ radiological/nuclear and explosives threats in cargo. Particular attention is paid to the threat of the maritime transportation system being exploited to deliver a nuclear weapon, because of the potentially catastrophic consequences.

• Secure seals. Accurate cargo risk assessment depends, in part, on the ability to confirm that nobody has tampered with cargo while it was in transit. The Plan includes a number of recommendations regarding further government testing and evaluation of security technology. In the short term, the Department of Homeland Security will pursue a regulatory requirement that loaded containers being transported to the U.S. be secured (at a minimum) with a high-security mechanical seal.

• International partnerships. Much of the international supply chain is beyond the limits of U.S. government jurisdiction. The International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) code is a good example of how international cooperation can lead to a global agreement on security procedures. The Maritime Commerce Security Plan recommends pursuing additional international agreements on standards and security practices to harmonize security procedures and speed emerging security technology to the market.

Next Steps

One of the most valuable contributions importers, exporters, shippers, carriers, and others involved in international trade and logistics can make is to continue to engage in constructive dialogue as we pursue these recommendations. The Department of Homeland Security will provide leadership in implementing the recommendations of the Maritime Commerce Security Plan, but success depends on the continued cooperation of the international community and partnerships with the private sector.

This page was last reviewed/modified on April 30, 2008.