HOMELAND SECURITY

09 Jun 08. World trade growth is set to slow further because of a US anti-terrorism law that requires all shipping containers to be scanned before embarkation, according to research commissioned by the World Customs Organisation. The report by the University of Le Havre, to be published on Tuesday, finds that the implementation of the law in 2012 would “slow down international trade dynamics and consequently world growth”. The measure was passed by Congress last year. Money earmarked to raise capacity at congestion-hit US terminals would go on security measures instead, the report says.
Trading partners, bridling at US insistence that containers be scanned in their port of origin, could also impose reciprocal measures, says the study, led by
Frederic Carluer, professor of territorial management at Le Havre. “It may be perceived as a disguised protectionist measure which would transfer the risk of ‘security’ to its partners,” it says. However, the study says the move could also be seen as a genuine attempt to guarantee trade flows through security measures. Containerisation has revolutionised trade, allowing smaller goods such as car parts and toys to be moved by sea, rail and road rapidly. Yet since the September 11 attacks on the US, security experts have warned that the boxes could be used by terrorists to send bombs or suicide bombers overseas. (Source: FT.com)

09 Jun 08. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded General Dynamics a task order to develop, implement and maintain the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) Next Generation. The initial award is for $18m and the total potential five-year value if all options are exercised is $62m. The Homeland Security Information Network is a national information sharing and collaboration platform that provides and serves as a conduit to Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) data that is maintained by, and shared in a multi-directional, trusted and secure environment among DHS and other domestic and international partners. General Dynamics will update the current Homeland
Security Information Network technology to implement the HSIN Next
Generation requirements.

05 Jun 08. Brazil will use a planned nuclear-powered submarine to protect its off-shore oil fields, Defense Minister Nelson Jobim told lawmakers this week. “We have to make it clear that defense is part of the national agenda,” he told the Brazilian Congress’ foreign relations and defense committee on Wednesday, according to a statement from his ministry. Jobim stressed that the Brazilian navy was looking to acquire 50 new ships in the future, which, along with the nuclear-powered submarine, would be used to protect the oil installations off his country’s southeast coast. He suggested that royalties paid by the state-run oil company Petrobras could be used more to finance the expansion of the fleet and argued that the climbing price of Petrobras shares reflected Brazil’s capacity to protect its oil reserves. Jobim also noted that Brazil’s claim before the United Nations to extend its territorial waters from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles would put more demands on the navy, if approved. Brazil was negotiating that issue in the face of reluctance from the U.N. The South American nation has recently announced a series of huge oil finds off-shore which, if they are proven viable, could propel the country into the same league as OPEC states. (Source: Defense News)

06 Jun 08. Finnish Border Guard Orders Three AW119 Ke Helicopters. AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Finnish Border Guard has chosen the AW119 Ke as its new helicopter to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement programme. A total of three AW119 Ke single turbine powered helicopters have been ordered with an option for one additional aircraft. These helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and firefighting. These new helicopters