WASHINGTON – The Maine Port Authority and the Port of Portland will receive federal grants totaling nearly $2 million from the Department of Homeland Security to upgrade port security, according to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

The Port of Portland will receive $1,296,000 to increase port security in four areas; the Maine Port Authority will receive $632,880 to upgrade security at marine terminals in Bar Harbor and Searsport. Sen. Collins chairs the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security.

The Port of Portland will use funds to buy and install surveillance equipment and to access control at three marine terminals in Portland. The funds also will be used to upgrade security and to screen passengers and vehicles before boarding the Scotia Prince. The Port of Portland also may purchase photo badges, handheld wands and radios for its staff.

The Maine Port Authority, which oversees marine terminals in Bar Harbor and Searsport, will use the grant to improve security in both locations. Part of the money, $258,480, will be used to buy metal detectors to screen passengers boarding the high-speed Cat ferry to Nova Scotia. The balance will be used in Searsport to implement a single-entry point system.