Port Security Seminar Hits the High Notes

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AAPA’s Port Security Seminar & Expo, July 16-18 in Baltimore was a marvelous success in every respect, thanks to excellent speakers and presentations, spirited audience participation, the warm and generous hospitality of our host, the Maryland Port Administration, and the hard work of the AAPA Security Committee and its chairman, Joe Lawless of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

Attendance was strong, totaling 126 registrants, some from as far away as Argentina, Bermuda and Costa Rica. Equally gratifying was the support of the companies and ports that sponsored meals and receptions and purchased exhibit space to display their products and services.

Cyber security was a major and recurrent theme throughout the seminar, including the keynote address by Rear Admiral Paul F. Thomas, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy.

Other topics included prosecuting international terrorism and maritime-related criminal cases, resiliency and recovery, TWIC issues and challenges, port security grants, liability management, and a U.S. State Department initiative seeking U.S. port collaboration in support of port law enforcement and security programs overseas. A major seminar highlight was a national perspective on homeland security offered by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

Click here for downloads of the seminar presentations.

Cong. Dutch Ruppersberger addressing the AAPA Port Security Seminar in Baltimore.
Photo/AAPA