The House Committee on Homeland Security recently passed, by voice vote, H.R. 4251, the Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-Based Targeting for Port Security Act, or the SMART Port Security Act. The bill, originally introduced in March by Representative Candice Mille (R-Mich.), would reauthorize and update certain provisions of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 and generally enhance global supply chain security and coordination. Specifically, it would

•    Allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to recognize other countries’ trusted-shipper programs and the U.S. Coast Guard to recognize other countries’ port security threat assessments;

•    Direct DHS to issue several reports on improving port security and identifying potential cost-saving strategies;

•    Following up to the Obama Administration’s recently published Global Supply Chain Security Strategy, require DHS to complete a more detailed strategic plan for global supply chain security that includes incentives for the private sector; and

•    Postpone requiring workers to renew their Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC™) if DHS fails to issue a Final Rule on TWIC readers by a specific deadline.

The bill will next move to the full House for consideration. I will continue to follow the legislation closely and provide updates as they become available.

For additional tips and updates on the Maritime Transportation Security Act, please view the MTSA White Paper.

Ryan Loughin is Director of Petro, Chemical & Energy Solutions for Tyco Integrated Security. He and his team have led many petrochemical security projects in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Loughin has more than 14 years of experience in petrochemical and energy security and provides security education and services to CFATS (Chemical-Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards) and MTSA (Maritime Transportation Security Act) -affected companies. Loughin is a member of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA), Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), American Chemistry Council (ACC), Energy Security Council (ESC) and American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). Loughin has worked with hundreds of MTSA and CFATS affected sites and has also provided guidance on many ACC Responsible Care Security Code projects.

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