Marine Security of Hazardous Chemical Cargo (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Aug. 26, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RL33048 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Paul W. Parfomak and John Frittelli, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, the nation has been working to improve the
security
of hazardous chemicals transportation. Marine shipments of hazardous chemical cargo may be
attractive terrorist targets because of their large volume and inherent toxicity or flammability.
Anecdotal evidence and international events suggest that terrorists may have both the desire and
capability to attack such shipments in U.S. waters. Building on existing legislation, Congress is
analyzing the security of hazardous chemical marine shipments and deciding whether to strengthen
related federal security efforts. H.R. 2651 , for example, would increase penalties for
criminal or terrorist activities around ports and marine vessels. S. 1052 includes
provisions to increase general port security, including foreign port security.
Drawing on marine commerce data from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), CRS has
analyzed marine shipments of acutely toxic or combustible chemicals as defined under
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. According to this analysis, over 100,000
marine shipments (54 million tons) of chemicals potentially capable of causing mass casualties
(injuries or deaths) among the general public passed through U.S. waters in 2003. These chemical
shipments accounted for 2% of U.S. marine cargo tonnage and were shipped through 113 U.S. ports.
The top 30 ports handled 95% of this hazardous chemical tonnage. Most marine shipments of
hazardous chemicals are much larger than such shipments on land; they would be of sufficient
volume, on average, to require an off-site risk management plan under EPA rules if the same
quantity of chemical was stored at a chemical plant.
The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA, P.L. 107-295 ) and the International Ship
and Port Facility Security Code give the Coast Guard far-ranging authority over the security of
hazardous marine shipping. The agency has developed port security plans addressing how to deploy
federal, state, and local resources to prevent terrorist attacks. Under the MTSA, the Coast Guard has
assessed the overall vulnerability of marine vessels, their potential to transport terrorists or terror
materials, and their use as potential weapons. The Coast Guard has employed these assessments to
augment marine assets security and develop new maritime security standards.
As federal oversight of hazardous chemical marine security continues to evolve, Congress may
raise questions concerning terrorism risk uncertainty and efforts by federal agencies and the private
sector to rigorously evaluate that risk. Congress may assess whether responsible federal agencies
and private sector entities have in place sufficient resources and effective measures to secure
hazardous chemical marine cargo from terrorist attack. Congress may also evaluate the emergency
response capabilities of coastal communities exposed to chemical shipping hazards. Determining
how hazardous chemical marine security fits together with other homeland security priorities to
achieve common security goals could be an oversight challenge for the 109th Congress.
This report will be updated as events warrant.
