Replies

"OUR PORTS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE U.S.!"

Sounds like your the one twisting facts and spouting propaganda. I guess it all depends on what the meaning of "Controlled" is. You find one element of security that will still be US run and then you say the US is controlling the whole port. Now that is propaganda.

Sorry, my statement stands. You can call it propaganda all you want.

My, the egg-on-the-face, anti-port-deal people are really edgy this afternoon. It's tough to defend a bum position from a hastily-built trench, so I'm very understanding today.

Leni

Sounds like your the one twisting facts and spouting propaganda. I guess it all depends on what the meaning of "Controlled" is. You find one element of security that will still be US run and then you say the US is controlling the whole port. Now that is propaganda.

Actually, you're the one who is spouting propaganda. You appear to not understand none of the ports are or were going to be purchased from P&O. P&O does not own our ports, therefore, they're in no position to sell them.

All ports located within the United States fall under the same jurisdiction and none of them are owned by a company either foreign or domestic.

Read in full the release by the Port of Houston Authority which has no problems with NATIONAL security being breached. Please also note they do not state P&O owns the port. It also lays out who is responsible for security.

Fact Sheet: Implication of the Proposed Acquisition of P&O Ports by Dubai Ports World on the Port of Houston Authority

HOUSTON, Feb. 23, 2006 -- The recent announcement of plans by the Dubai Ports World (DP World) to purchase P&O Ports (P&O) will not have an impact on any of the facilities or operations of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA).

The PHA is a political subdivision chartered by the state of Texas. It owns and either operates or leases 12 public facilities. The PHA does not own or operate private facilities.

Specifically in Houston, P&O leases space at the PHA's Barbours Cut Container Terminal for container and chassis repair and container storage. At the PHA's Turning Basin Terminal, P&O maintains a freight handling assignment and is licensed to provide stevedore services. P&O does not own or operate public (PHA) facilities.

P&O, a private company headquartered in London, is involved in worldwide container terminal operations and stevedore services for the maritime industry.

The Port of Houston comprises more than 150 public (PHA) and private terminals along the 53-mile Houston Ship Channel. The port's private terminals include several U.S.-based, foreign-based and multi-national corporations. Approximately 85% of cargo that moves through Houston's port is handled at private facilities. A large portion of the port's private facilities are engaged in production, refining and transportation operations related to the global oil, gas and chemical industries.

PORT SECURITY

All port facilities in the U.S. that are engaged in commercial activities across interstate lines or international borders -- whether public or private, domestic or foreign -- are subject to state and federal security statutes as well as the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.

The federal government takes the lead in protecting America's ports. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, primarily through the activities of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard, runs many programs to secure U.S. ports. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for maritime security and reviewing and approving security plans for vessels, port facilities and port areas which are required by the MTSA. Customs and Border Protection is responsible for cargo security, and screens and inspects cargo entering the U.S. through every U.S. port.

Other cargo security programs include:

 -- Container Security Initiative (inspection of U.S. import cargo 
    by CBP prior to leaving the outbound foreign port)
 -- Use of radiation detection equipment to screen for weapons of 
    mass destruction
 -- Use of other non-intrusive inspection devices
 -- Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), which 
    encourages maritime stakeholders to verify their security 
    measures.

The Port Security Grant program and the pending implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) are also important parts of America's port security portfolio to provide layered security.

While the federal government takes the lead on waterside and cargo security, overall security is a shared responsibility with port authorities, facility and vessel operators, and state and local law enforcement agencies providing additional security. The Maritime Transportation Security Act also establishes local security committees to evaluate and make improvements in each port.

In general, port infrastructure throughout the U.S. and around the world consists of diverse collections of docks, warehouses, and terminals. For the past two decades, it has been a common maritime industry practice for private port facilities in some countries to be operated by organizations that are based in other countries. This is widely regarded as the nature of trade and commerce in today's global economy.

For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com .

The Port of Houston Authority logo can be found at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=720

CONTACTS:  Port of Houston Authority 
           Argentina M. James, Director of Public Affairs 
           Office: (713) 670-2568 Cell: (713) 306-6822
           ajames@poha.com


           Felicia Griffin, Communications Manager
           Office: (713) 670-2644 Cell: (713) 594-5620 
           fgriffin@poha.com

Port of New Orleans:

About The Port of New Orleans

Ideally located at the mouth of Mississippi River, the Port of New Orleans is America’s gateway to the global market. New Orleans has been a center for international trade since 1718 when it when it was founded by the French.

Today, the Port of New Orleans is at the center of the world’s busiest port complex — Louisiana’s Lower Mississippi River. Its proximity to the American Midwest via a 14,500-mile inland waterway system makes New Orleans the port of choice for the movement of cargoes such as steel, grain, containers and manufactured goods.

The Port of New Orleans is the only deepwater port in the United States served by six class one railroads. This gives port users direct and economical rail service to or from anywhere in the country.

New Orleans is one of America’s leading general cargo ports. A productive and efficient private maritime industry has help produce impressive results, including the USA’s top market share for import steel, natural rubber, plywood and coffee.

In the last 10 years, the Port of New Orleans has invested more than $400 million in new state-of-the-art facilities. Improved breakbulk and container terminals feature new multipurpose cranes, expanded marshalling yards and a new roadway to handle truck traffic.

As we open the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans is committed to building a port, which will serve the needs of the global marketplace well into the new century.

MISSION

The Board’s mission is to maximize the flow of foreign and domestic waterborne commerce throughout the Port of New Orleans.

GOVERNANCE

The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans governs the Port of New Orleans. The Board sets policies and regulates traffic and commerce of the Port.

The Board is made up of seven commissioners. They are unsalaried and serve five-year staggered terms. The governor of Louisiana appoints board members from a list of three nominees submitted by 19 local business, civic, labor, education and maritime groups.

The seven-person board reflects the three-parish (county) jurisdiction of the Board. Four members are selected from Orleans Parish, two from Jefferson Parish and one from St. Bernard Parish.