ABU DHABI, 16 May, 05 (WAM) - Dubai Ports, Customs and FreeZone Corporation (PCFC) has entered into an agreement with theUnited States Department of Energy to install special equipmentat Dubai Ports to detect and stop hidden shipments of nuclearand other radioactive materials.

The agreement also ensures specialised training for the staffof Dubai Customs and will result in regular exchange of informationon radioactive materials between the two parties, according toa press release issued today.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customsand Free Zone Corporation signed this major agreement with U.S.

Ambassador Michele J. Sison. The agreement is part of the U.S.

Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration(NNSA) Megaports Initiative, a program aimed at stopping illicitshipments of nuclear and other radioactive material. Dubai Customsjoins efforts currently in place in the Netherlands, Greece,Spain, Sri Lanka, and Belgium.

The Megaports Initiative is part of the Department's "SecondLine of Defense", a U.S. government program designed to workwith foreign governments to deter, detect, and interdict illegalshipments of nuclear materials.

"Successful detection of radioactive materials will enable Dubaiauthorities to stop the transshipment of these materials throughthe UAE's busiest seaports," said Ambassador Sison. "This agreementwill help in averting the dangers posed by the unrestricted movementof these materials, with this equipment installed." Sultan Ahmedbin Sulayem, remarked, "The signing of this agreement has enhancedDubai's position as a global trading hub. By detecting radioactivematerials in the port we can be fully assured that there areno hazardous materials in the port and ensure safe and legalshipment of goods." This agreement is in line with the effortsof Dubai Customs to increase the level of safety with regardto the shipment of goods from the ports. US Department of Energy'sNNSA will also provide training to appropriate law enforcementofficials. The specialized radiation detection technology deployedunder this program is based on technologies originally developedby Department laboratories as part of overall U.S. governmentefforts to guard against proliferation of nuclear and other radioactivematerials.