The American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) 12th Port Security Seminar and Exhibition, is being held in Houston, Tex., July 16-18. The expo plans to address concerns focusing on the security and safety challenges confronting public seaport agencies and marine terminal operators throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The seminar will also feature a day-long exhibition on July 17 to showcase the latest security trends, technologies and products in the seaport industry.
Some of the key topics to be discussed include implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program (including the devices that will eventually "read" the embedded biometrics in TWIC identification cards); working with federal port security program initiatives such as Operation Safe Port and the new "100 percent" cargo screening mandates; and planning for disaster recovery and continuity of business after a terrorist incident.
Other presentations and speaker panels will cover port security surveys, cruise terminal security, security at special events, counter-terrorism strategies, waterside security, cargo theft deterrence and railroad security at seaports.
Among the featured speakers will be Dr. Chuck Gallaway, deputy director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who will be the July 16 luncheon speaker, and Todd Owen, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Cargo and Conveyance Security executive director, who will provide a presentation on Operation Safe Port, radiation portals and other federal port security program initiatives.
Hosting the seminar with AAPA will be the Port of Houston Authority. Corporate sponsors include SecurePort, Lockheed Martin Corporation and ICx Technologies.