The port of Los Angeles in Southern California is one of the busiest port in the United States. The port has the ability to handle big ships that smaller ports cannot handle. The port of Los Angeles is preferred by the business community as an entry point of goods as it cuts costs and clearance at the port does not take longer. But, Covid-19 pandemic has tested the efficiency of Port of Los Angeles and the port has a back log that is beyond three months. As the American shelves are empty thousands of containers with goods are stuck at the port of entry (Pallini, 2021).
The presence of a large number of ships waiting to be cleared at the port of Los Angeles poses a maritime threat. What if a risky container arrives at the port of Los Angeles and is blown remotely? This would cause destruction of goods worth billions of dollars which is waiting to be cleared. Is that not a harm to American firms? The entrances to the terminal is another area that has loopholes that criminals can use to attack the Port of Los Angeles. For example, in 2017 a man who was fleeing police was able to enter on the dock, reach containers and commit suicide at the port (AP NEWS, 2017). Such an action shows suicide bombers can follow the same path and blow the port.
The address the issue of swelling containers at the Port of Los Angeles, the Port authority has started to operate 24/7. This measure though derailed by the lack of enough truck drivers to work during the night is capable of ensuring minimal cargo ships are at the port. The cargo which is cleared and continues to dwell at the port attracts congestion fee. Truck drivers who work on weekends and during the night are exempted pier pass fees (The White House, 2021). The port retail partners like Target, Home Depot, Walmart, FedEx, among others have also committed themselves in ensuring their cargo spend minimal time at the port. These measures are able to ensure there is very few ships at the port and supply chain is efficient.
Maritime cyber incidents have been on the rise globally and Port of Los Angeles is not an exemption. To counter cyber threats that may be aimed at the Port of Los Angeles, the port management has partnered with IBM to create a modern Cyber Resilience Center. The center is focused on detecting possible cyber-attacks, disrupting them before they reach the cargo and enhancing information sharing (Pendro, 2020). The Port of Los Angeles has skilled security officers who ensure the safety of the people and cargo at the port.
CG-2 real-time protection of coastal seaways and U.S. seaports
The U.S. Coast Guard is an agency within DHS which is responsible for the marine domain. The agency is armed and at the same time it is a law enforcement agency. The agency patrols the U.S. coastal areas, protects the ports of entry, waterways and harbors. The agency also protects the people who live, work or tours the coastal areas and marine resources. The agency uses both physical and technological measures in carrying out its security mission (DHS, n.d.). The Coastal Surveillance System is a system used by the Coast Guards to handle the small vessel on waterways that sensors are not able to handle. The system is able to provide real time information of smugglers.
