U.S. changing port, maritime industry rules

WASHINGTON – The nation’s ports and maritime industry would face a tab of about $1.4 billion to comply with the new safety requirements in federal regulations being developed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

To develop the rules, which are due out by June in draft form, the Coast Guard will conduct a series of public hearings – beginning Jan. 27 in New Orleans and ending Feb. 11 in New York – to evaluate the security needs of U.S. ports and the maritime industry.

In a draft notice issued last week, the Coast Guard elaborately set requirements for tugs, freighters, barges and other ships, as well as ports.

“Discussions will aid the Coast Guard in determining the type of vessels and facilities that pose a risk of being involved in a transportation security incident, and identifying security measures and standards to deter such incidents,” said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Paul J. Pluta, assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.

Pluta, in a Federal Register notice published last week, said the discussions would try to mesh U.S. requirements with international ship and port facility security rules.

The cost will be stiff – not only $1.4 billion immediately for vessel, facility and port security, but $6 billion over the next decade, the analysis accompanying the notice stated.

Here’s what the Coast Guard wants to do:

Facility security: Security officers and paperwork alone will run up a $963 million bill in the first year, with annual costs estimated at $535 million.

Port security: The Coast Guard wants port security committees set up and new port security plans developed at a cost of $120 million.

Vessel security: New security officers, equipment and handling the paperwork will cost the industry $188 million immediately, and another $144 million annually. More than 140,000 hours would be required to complete the paperwork alone, the Coast Guard estimates.

The flurry of activity is an offshoot of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which was signed into law by President Bush on Nov. 25. The measure would require the Coast Guard to develop streamlined rules that protect U.S. ports and enhance the security aboard vessels. A final rule is expected to be in place by November. The rules are sweeping, and will apply to:

. Facilities that transfer, store or otherwise handle dry bulk or general cargo.

. Marinas.

. Military installations and vessels.

. Nautical school vessels and sailing school vessels.

. Oil spill response vessels.

. Recreational vessels and uninspected passenger vessels.

. Ship repair facilities.

. Small passenger vessels on domestic voyages.

. Uninspected fishing vessels.

. Waterfront areas that are densely populated or host large public events.

. Other areas within the port that are critical to port operations or public safety.

U.S.-flag and foreign-flag vessels will be affected, including both cargo ships and passenger vessels, the Coast Guard said. Also covered are barges and tankers as well as mobile offshore drilling units and towing vessels.