Earlier this month, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson extended the enforcement deadline for a federal provision, mandating 100 percent cargo scanning for incoming maritime containers, for an additional two years. The Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act was passed in 2006 and requires that all cargo destined for the U.S. be scanned by radiation detection equipment, prior to lading of the vessel at the foreign port.

In his letter to the DHS, Jeh Johnson explains that, “I have personally reviewed our current port security and DHS's short term and long term ability to comply with 100% scanning requirement. Following this review, I must report, in all candor, that DHS's ability to fully comply with this unfunded mandate of 100% scanning, even in long term, is highly improbable and hugely expensive, and in our judgment, not the best use of taxpayer resources to meet this country's port security and homeland security needs.”

Johnson added that he supports the mandate’s objectives and has instructed the agency’s employees to focus on the following:

• Increase the percentage of containers scanned abroad- especially for high risk cargo
• Improve and refine CBP’s targeting algorithms and rules within its Automated Targeting System to better identify high-risk containers
• Engage industry stakeholders and other partners in scanning U.S.-bound cargo
• Enhance the public sector’s participation in the scanning process
• Address other potential vulnerabilities aside from radiological/nuclear threats

DHS did not publish the letter. A press release by Security Info Watch can be accessed here