U.S. budgets $92 million for port security

WASHINGTON (June 18, 2002) — The U.S. Dept. of Transportation yesterday awarded $92.3 million US in grants to enhance the security at 51 seaports and other facilities. 

Port security grants totaling $78 million will fund enhanced facility and operational security. In addition, $5 million is provided for security assessments that will enable port and terminals to evaluate vulnerabilities and identify mitigation strategies for their facilities, and $9.3 million will fund “proof-of-concept” projects, which will explore the use of new technology, such as electronic seals, vessel tracking, and electronic notification of vessel arrivals, to improve maritime security

Congress provided funding for the grant program to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for security in all modes of transportation. 

TSA, along with the Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard, reviewed project applications and is administering the grant program.