25 March 2005

ABU DHABI -- The 35th Container Security Initiative (CSI) port became operational yesterday at the port of Dubai, as announced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation.

CSI is the only multinational programme  that is protecting global trade lanes from being exploited and disrupted by international terrorists. The agreement will enable all cargo destined for the US through the port of Dubai to be pre-screened.

"The threat of terrorism is real and it's a global threat. Dubai Customs recognises the importance of protecting cargo against the terrorist threat. I applaud their bold action of assuming a leadership role in the Middle East," said Commissioner Bonner. The primary purpose of CSI is to help protect the global trading system and the trade routes between CSI ports and the United States. By collaborating with foreign customs administrations, CBP is working towards a safer, more secure world trading system.

Under CSI, CBP has entered into bi-lateral partnerships with other governments to identify high-risk cargo containers and to pre-screen them before they are loaded on vessels destined for the US.  "I congratulate the government of Dubai in partnering with US and being in the forefront of protecting trading system," said Ambassador to the UAE Michele Sison.

The World Customs Organisation (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.

On average every day about 25,000 seagoing containers are off-loaded at America's seaports.

The 35 operational ports in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America include: Halifax, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Le Havre, France; Bremerhaven and Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp and Zeebrugge, Belgium; Singapore; Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong; Goteborg, Sweden; Felixstowe, Liverpool, Southampton, Thamesport, and Tilbury, United Kingdom; Genoa, La Spezia, Naples, and Gioia Tauro, Italy; Busan, Korea; Durban, South Africa; Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Piraeus, Greece; Algeciras, Spain; and Laem Chabang, Thailand.

BY A STAFF REPORTER

© Khaleej Times 2005