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Port Maritime Legislation
Port Maritime Legislation
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Name of Institution
Port Maritime Legislation
The SMART Port Security Act enhances security programs within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was passed following the recognition that the security of US waterways is crucial for national security. A simple disruption of any port of the US could have dire consequences on the nation’s supply chain hence damaging the economy (Richardson, 2012). At the core of the legislation are risk-based security measures that emphasize collaboration between the Coast Guard and the Customs and Border Protection. To achieve this objective, the Act:
a) Allows the DHS to recognize Trusted Shipper Programs of other countries
b) Allows the Coast Guard to recognize the security threat assessments of other governments or organizations
c) Requires the DHS to enhance interagency cooperation through constant updates of the US Maritime Operations Coordination Plan
d) Overhauls the Transportation Worker Identification Credentials program to curb unauthorized use and improve enrollee efficiency
e) Requires the CPB to adopt risk-based standard practices during the deployment of assets
The Security and Accountability For Every Port (SAFE) Act, 2006 is an Act of Congress. The main objective of the legislation is to tighten the security at ports in the US. A gambling provision was added to the legislation at the final moments before enactment. The provisions in this Act spring from some 20 bills that were introduced to the Congress following the controversy of the Dubai Ports World that aimed at blocking the acquisition of P&O Ports by Dubai World Ports and barring the US from exploitation by foreign owners (US Government Accountability Office, 2014). With the act, a range of programs were codified into law that have seen an improvement of security at the US ports namely
Container security initiative
Port security grant program
Foreign port assessments
Transportation worker identity credentials
Requirements for maritime facilities
Partnership against terrorism
Interagency operations centers
The Small Vessel Security Strategy was devised to alleviate any risks of using small vessels to smuggle weapons of mass destruction or terrorists into the US. The strategy was also meant to alleviate threats of such vessels being used as standoff weapon platforms or a simple route to attacking the US directly with the waterborne improvised explosive device. This strategy also gives a clear definition of small vessel communities and the locates the areas where they prevail. The strategy outlines the best way forward in controlling and managing maritime risks, ensuring that the potential consequences of the attack through small vessels is eliminated in time (US Government Accountability Office, 2014). This approach requires the integration of various sectors and agencies. The salient goals of this vital security strategy include:
a) To tighten the safety and security of maritime zones through a simple and clear approach that lays down the framework for action in the event of the threat
b) To establish stronger working relationships with the vessel communities and various private and public sectors dealing with vessels for purposes of promoting the awareness of US maritime domains
c) To acquire state-of-the-art technology that facilitates for detecting suspect vessels that pose security threats and getting rid of them through security measures and penalties
d) To foster cooperation among all sectors, including local, tribal, state, federal, international, public and private sectors to adopt one approach towards maritime safety and security. In doing so, the Department of State alongside other federal agencies will be involved.
References
Richardson, W. (2012). House Passes SMART Port Security Act, among others. Retrieved 18
November 2014 from http://www.securitydirectornews.com/public-sector/house-passes-smart-port-security-act-among-othersU.S. Government Accountability Office (2014). Maritime Security: The SAFE Port Act and
Efforts to Secure our Nation’s Seaports. Retrieved 18 November 2014 from http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-86T
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2014). Maritime Security: DHS could Benefit 18
November 2014 from Tracking Progress in Implementing the Small Vessel Security Strategy. Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-32
Port Containerization
Port Containerization
Opportunity and Challenges
With the increase in technology proliferation, the world can expect to develop even further as far as globalization and related concepts are concerned. Across the global transport industry, in network fleet activities and commercial approaches, containerization has several opportunities to improve the overall performance. For example, traditional systems are being replaced by more modern concepts, including tracking and better logistics systems (Rodrigue & Notteboom, 2015). Outmoded approaches will be replaced by more updated design approaches, ushering in a new age in global containerization and better management of ports. According to Saxon & Stone (2017), globalization provides more opportunities to the business of containerization, expands the need for port terminals around the globe, and increases the need for transportation using shipping containers. Another opportunity that emerges through port containerization is the standardization of the transport system in the recent past in a way that enables the movement of goods from one nation to the next (Seoane, Laxe, & Montes, 2013). For example standardized modes of containerization makes transportation of goods more effective even where there are language barriers. Additionally, D’agostini, Nam, & Kang (2019) point to the flexibility that comes with containerization, noting that as more businesses become interconnected, it would be possible to move different types of commodities including manufactured goods, refrigerated goods and liquids. The concepts of globalization and the interconnectedness that the world is experience will also yield the opportunity for containers to offer low-cost and fast transportation solutions ((Rodrigue & Notteboom, 2015). It will enable the growth of businesses in the international scene and set the tone for the next few years in the management of containers and their advantages in transportation. Another opportunity that comes with port containerization is the development of security in other fronts such as in IT and other technologies, providing future transportation benefits with better cargo security. A combination of these issues will provide carriers and ports with an opportunity to charge premium prices
Even with the foregoing opportunities, port containerization has a number of challenges that has hampered progress and better performance for the sector. Kotowska, Mańkowska, & Pluciński (2018) point to one major challenge regarding site constraints for port containerization. The large consumption of port and other terminal space is a major challenge, meaning that more funds and capital are required for the sector to be fully operational. In agreement, Wang, Woo, and Mileski (2014) report that port containerization is limited by the capital intensiveness that is required to ensure effective and efficient handling of container infrastructure and equipment. These investments also mean that development and expansion in the port containerization sector is limited by funds and space as mentioned earlier. Of larger consequence is the challenge of keeping up with global changes in technology and strategic approaches. López-Bermúdez, Freire-Seoane, & Lesta-Casal (2020) assert that fleet changes and the development of the global transport industry have rendered network designs used in containerization processes outmoded. As a result, the networks used by a majority of shipping companies fail to adequately maximize financial benefits. For example, the use of new bigger and more cost-effective container ships has led to massive losses and other cascading impacts on companies that use smaller ships. There is a likelihood that the growth in technology will lead to the squeezing out of vessels operating in the port containerization process. Additionally, there is an emerging challenge regarding the conflict between transportation companies and asset management techniques in influencing business decisions (Hlali & Hammami, 2019). Asset management practices are evolving in a way that transportation companies has not been able to keep up. The result is that policies and company decisions have become more suboptimal as time progress. The transportation mindset needs to be in constant evolution in line with the objectives of asset management so as to reduce conflict in the short and long term. Other notable challenges include theft and losses, the effect of the illicit containerization industry, the divergence between consumption and production, and the cross-border issues that emerge with the international trade between different jurisdictions.
ReferencesD’agostini, E., Nam, H. S., & Kang, S. H. (2019). Gaining competitive advantage at sea: an overview of shipping lines’ strategic decisions. Int J Transport Eng Technol, 5(4), 74-81.
Hlali, A., & Hammami, S. (2019). The evolution of containerization and its impact on the Maghreb ports. Annals of Marine Science, 3(1), 001-005.
Kotowska, I., Mańkowska, M., & Pluciński, M. (2018). Inland shipping to serve the hinterland: the challenge for seaport authorities. Sustainability, 10(10), 3468.
López-Bermúdez, B., Freire-Seoane, M. J., & Lesta-Casal, E. (2020). Core and comprehensive ports: The new challenge for the development of the Spanish port system. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 8, 100243.
Rodrigue, J. P., & Notteboom, T. (2015). Looking inside the box: evidence from the containerization of commodities and the cold chain. Maritime Policy & Management, 42(3), 207-227.
Saxon, S., & Stone, M. (2017). Container shipping: The next 50 years. Travel, Transport & Logistics. https://www.hktdc.com/resources/New_Corporate_Site/almc2018/1543288787953_Steve-Saxon.pdf
Seoane, M. J. F., Laxe, F. G., & Montes, C. P. (2013). Foreland determination for containership and general cargo ports in Europe (2007–2011). Journal of Transport Geography, 30, 56-67.
Wang, G. W., Woo, S. H., & Mileski, J. (2014). The relative efficiency and financial risk assessment of shipping companies. Maritime Policy & Management, 41(7), 651-666.
The Demise of Slavery in the Caribbean
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Professor’s Name
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Date
The Demise of Slavery in the Caribbean
The demise of slavery in the Caribbean was due to a number of factors, including the smallpox vaccine, which was introduced by Onesimus. Other factors that contributed to the demise of slavery in the Caribbean include the abolition of the slave trade by the British in 1807, and the Haitian Revolution of 1804.
The first evidence is the introduction of the smallpox vaccine by Onesimus, a slave from Boston. In 1721, Cotton Mather heard about the African practice of inoculation and asked Onesimus to teach him the technique (Blackemore n.p). Mather then convinced Boston doctors to try inoculation on smallpox patients. This led to the widespread use of the smallpox vaccine, which eventually led to the demise of the disease. As a result, the slave population was immunized against the disease, which led to a decrease in the mortality rate. The second evidence is the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804 (Roitman 20). The Haitian Revolution was the largest and most successful slave uprising in the Americas and it had a significant impact on the abolition movement in the United States and Europe. After the Haitian Revolution, many Europeans began to question the morality of slavery and the slave trade (Caribbean Atlas n.p). The slave trade was also discouraged by the British government, which passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807.
The demise of slavery in the Caribbean was led by many factors such as the smallpox vaccine. The French Revolution led to the abolition of slavery in all French colonies in 1794, while the Haitian Revolution resulted in the freedom of all slaves in Haiti in 1804.
Works Cited
Blakemore, Erin. “How an Enslaved African Man in Boston Helped Save Generations from Smallpox.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 1 Feb. 2019, https://www.history.com/news/smallpox-vaccine-onesimus-slave-cotton-mather.
Caribbean Atlas. Abolitions of slavery. http://atlas-caraibe.certic.unicaen.fr/en/page-117.html.
Roitman, Jessica Vance. “Land of hope and dreams: slavery and abolition in the Dutch Leeward islands, 1825–1865.” Slavery & Abolition 37.2 (2016): 375-398. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144039X.2016.1140457