TWIC spot checks made in Miami

The U.S. Coast Guard in Miami conducted spot checks at 38 facilities Tuesday to assess compliance with the mandatory Transportation Worker Identification Card.

   Effective Jan. 13, certain port workers regulated under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) are now required to hold a TWIC. The TWIC serves as an identification card for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA regulated facilities.

   More than 90 percent of the Miami cargo facilities checked by the Coast Guard were compliant. However, five facilities were cited for non-compliance, and two of them were corrected on the spot with no impact to their operations, the Coast Guard said.

   The three non-compliant operators -- Bermuth Marine Shipping, Port of Miami River Terminal, and Fifth Street Terminal -- were ordered to suspend MTSA-related operations until they have complied with the TWIC requirements. The Coast Guard said the vessels moored at the three facilities may depart at any time, but they could not accept any more MTSA-regulated vessels until TWIC compliance was met. The agency is working with the three operators to gain TWIC compliance and resume normal operations.

   The Transportation Security Administration opened 149 TWIC enrollment offices nationwide to process TWIC applications, including three at or near the three largest seaports in South Florida in early 2008.

Source: American Shipper