Press Release

Date: January 14, 2009

Contact: Anthony Turner
(562) 577-0343

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - Time is running short for maritime transportation workers who have not yet enrolled for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential also known as "TWIC." On April 14, 2009 maritime transportation workers, including terminal employees, longshoremen, truck drivers, agents and contractors without a TWIC card will be denied unescorted access to U.S. regulated waterfront terminals and vessels in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

There are currently 58 waterfront facilities in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach regulated by the Coast Guard under the Maritime Transportation Security Act. With only three months before the deadline only a little more than half of the estimated 67,000 maritime workers who require access to those facilities and vessels have enrolled in TWIC. About 38% have been issued a card. 

To actively prepare the port prior to the April 14, 2009 enforcement date, the Coast Guard is disseminating TWIC updates through port stakeholder meetings, security forums, and information bulletins.  A number of port facilities have taken the initiative and conducted surveys to gauge the number of maritime transportation workers currently entering the facilities without TWIC cards.  Facility Security Officers utilize the surveys to remind maritime transportation workers of the upcoming compliance date. The Coast Guard will continue to work closely with port stakeholders to address any concerns pertaining to TWIC implementation.

It can potentially take four to six weeks from the time of enrollment for an applicant to receive a TWIC card; therefore, maritime transportation workers need to register as soon as possible to meet the April 14, 2009 compliance date.  Failing to enroll could adversely affect maritime transportation workers' ability to conduct business within the ports.

In the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach there are two fixed enrollment centers located at:

301 E. Ocean Blvd. Suite 500, Long Beach CA, 90802

1001 New Dock St. San Pedro, CA  90731

There is also an additional facility located at:

1251 N. Rice Ave. Oxnard CA, 93030

For more information, the TWIC Program Help Desk can be reached at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942). The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 12 a.m. EST.  The TWIC Help Desk can also be contacted via email at credentialing@dhs.gov. For U.S. Coast Guard TWIC enforcement questions, please contact 1-877-MTSA-AID (1-877-687-2243).

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