Posted on 02/23/2006 11:39:32 PM PST by johnmecainrino
UAE-based firms have operated in Houston long time Their presence hasn't raised any misgivings about port security
By MICHAEL HEDGES Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - When it comes to United Arab Emirates companies operating at the Port of Houston, "we're already there," to paraphrase one firm's motto.
Besides the Middle Eastern nation's company whose U.S. port business is causing political headaches for the Bush administration, other companies associated with the Muslim country have been at work in Houston for a while, without any known misgivings about port security or terrorism.
There was little to no public attention paid in January when UAE investment company Istithmar bought Inchcape Shipping Services, the world's largest private shipping manager, which has a longtime presence in Houston.
The scope of Inchcape's operations worldwide are summed up in the company's motto: "Whether it's People, Place or Product, we're already there."
At work here since 1990 Lars Westerberg, the company's Houston-based North American president, said the Gulf of Mexico is a key area for company functions, particularly with tankers and so-called dry bulk shipping. He said the company has been in Houston since 1990. Its previous ownership was European.
"Inchcape Shipping Services is a global organization that works with over 2,000 owners and charterers through our network of 200 offices in 53 countries around the world providing them ... services to help improve the commercial performance of their voyage or trade," according to a statement by its London office.
Another UAE-based company with an established presence at Houston port facilities is Gulf Agency Company. Though based in Dubai, its owners are a group of Swedish businessmen.
The Bush administration's decision to allow a government-owned UAE company to buy a British firm that has contracts to manage facilities at six American ports has become a controversy in Washington.
Critics of the Dubai Ports World deal have said it would give an Arab country that has had a mixed record on dealing with Islamic extremists control of the security at key ports during the war on terror triggered by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Dubai Ports World has a contract to load and unload ships and does not administer overall port operations.
A letter of revocation U.S. Rep. Gene Green, the Houston Democrat whose district covers the Ship Channel, joined other lawmakers Thursday who signed a letter asking Bush to revoke the deal. "Unlike the private sector British company that previously operated the terminals at the six ports — New York, Miami, New Orleans, Baltimore, New Jersey, and Philadelphia — Dubai Ports World is owned entirely by the United Arab Emirates, a foreign government ruled by a monarchy," he said.
Green said in a phone interview that he sees a difference between such a company running the port and performing limited shipping services.
"It is the managing of the port that concerns me. If a company comes in and does business and leases facilities, that is one thing, but managing a port is something else," he said.
Rep. Tom DeLay, who also strongly opposed the deal, took a similar view.
"The congressman knows by its very nature that the port is an arena of international trade," spokesman Michael Connolly said. "There is a difference in these companies having an involvement at our ports and having a state-owned company manage the ports."
But a Department of Homeland Security "fact sheet" released Thursday disputed the idea that the UAE company will be managing American ports.
Dubai Ports World "will not control, operate or manage any United States port," it said. "DP World will only operate and manage specific, individual terminals located within six ports."
In most of those ports, a majority of terminals will be managed by other companies, DHS officials said.
michael.hedges@chron.com
I'm waiting for the story like this from the LA-Slimes detailing the Chi-commies role at the port of LA...
The Saudi's have commercial port operations in the U.S. as well. Now if we can only link Walmart and Haliburton to this it would get fun.
LOL! This is getting funnier and funnier everyday!
Are rational facts finally emerging from the emotional quagmire?
Cheers,
OLA
You mean Long Beach? Congress deep-sixed that brilliant idea of Clinton's in the 105th.
Thanks for posting this, but you know already the naysayers will ignore it. Oh well.
"Unlike the private sector British company that previously operated the terminals at the six ports — New York, Miami, New Orleans, Baltimore, New Jersey, and Philadelphia — Dubai Ports World is owned entirely by the United Arab Emirates, a foreign government ruled by a monarchy," he said.
China owns ports here and so does singapore.
There are about 300 misconceptions about this deal that have been hammered to take bush down.
* BOSTON
* CHARLESTON
* CHICAGO
* HENDERSON
* HOUSTON
* LONG BEACH
* MIAMI
* NEW YORK
* NORFOLK
* SAN FRANCISCO
* SECAUCUS (HQ)
* SEATTLE
You mean Long Beach? Congress deep-sixed that brilliant idea of Clinton's in the 105th.
Wow, I was mistaken. SSA Marine, and not COSCO runs the COSCO ports. Thanks for making me do my homework.
Cheers,
OLA
Stir it up: SSA Mexico Holdings, S.A. de C.V., a newly formed subsidiary of FSC, acquired the interest in TMM Puertos y Terminals ("TMMPyT") from Transportacion Maritima Mexicana ("TMM"). TMMPyT is now a 100% owned subsidiary of FSC. TMMPyT includes port operations in Manzanillo, Veracruz, Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.
PSA Singapore is also state owned, as is COSCO.
LOL
I so wish Walmart would announce that they've decided to venture into commercial port operations and will now bid on these ports.
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw....I want Bill & Hillary to be named to the board of directors to UAE! LOL
Walmart, Halliburton, ExxonMobil, Maersk/Sea-Land, and COSCO could come out and announce a joint effort. Walmart could say in their press release "we see a need to diversify into other areas, and this multi-partied joint venture just seems right".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.