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Aug 20, 2007 7:29 AM

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made available an additional $110 million in fiscal 2007 Port Security Grant funding, according to information from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).

The money, to pay for security improvements in and around America's public ports, was part of a compromise Iraqi war appropriations supplemental bill that was signed into law last May.

"The additional $110 million will go a long way toward helping our nation's ports further enhance their facility security against terrorism," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president.

Currently, the Port Security Grant program divides eligible ports into four tiers, based on their perceived risk, with top tier ports receiving the lion's share of the available funds.

Nagle said that given the high costs of enhancing facility security at America's seaports, federal support is still very much needed to help ports pay for access control systems, personnel training, waterside security, and interoperable communications, as well as the costly facility requirements related to implementing the new Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

Read more about port security in other Bulk Transporter coverage by clicking here.