USTDA Sector Brief - Ports

Recognizing that trade is an essential catalyst for development, the establishment of modern and secure port infrastructure is a key area for activity by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Many USTDA activities in the port sector support the development of closer commercial relations under U.S. trade agreements and the adoption of international security standards.

In carrying out its mission, USTDA advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

Since fiscal year 2001, USTDA has funded approximately 60 activities in the port sector totaling more than $20 million. The following is an illustrative list of those activities:

East Asia

Shanghai Model Port Customs IT – USTDA provided $186,800 to the Shanghai Customs Authority for training related to the information technology upgrades at the Port of Shanghai. This grant was a part of the larger “Shanghai Model Port” project. The training was completed by the National Center for APEC.

Europe and Eurasia

Latvia Integrated Master Port Security Plan – USTDA is providing $390,740 to the Ministry of Transport for technical assistance in developing an integrated master port security plan for the ports of Riga, Ventspils, and Liepaja. The assistance will re-engineer the security processes at each port to provide a layered, comprehensive security system. Sullivan Cove Consultants of Baltimore, MD, is conducting the study.

Lithuania Klaipeda Port Security Project – In 2004, USTDA provided $415,000 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications on a security project at the Port of Klaipeda. The technical assistance assessed security needs at the Port according to international standards and recommended improvements. SAIC of McLean, VA, provided the assistance. Project implementation, following SAIC’s recommendations, is currently underway.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil Secure Supply Chain – USTDA provided $523,500 to the Ministry of Transportation to improve the efficiency of Brazil's port logistics chain. The USTDA-funded assistance will establish the logistics chain baseline; define the intelligent cargo and intelligent network logistics chain; assess the impacts; and develop an implementation strategy.

Colombia Cartagena Secure Port Initiative – USTDA provided $399,962 to support Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena S.A. in its efforts to improve maritime cargo security at the Port of Cartagena. The Port ships over one-quarter of its total container volume to the United States.

Honduras Port of Cortés Dry Bulk Unloading Terminal – USTDA provided $470,000 to Empresa Nacional Portuaria to develop a dry bulk unloading terminal, which will improve the overall infrastructure and efficiency of operations at the Port of Cortés.

Panama Port and Maritime Sector Monitoring and Control Center – USTDA is providing $331,341 to assist the Panama Maritime Authority in developing a Maritime Sector Monitoring and Control Center. The Center will help monitor and control Panama's maritime sector, including the administration of the Panamanian-registered fleet, national and international fishing fleets, ports, safety, security, and environmental management.

Middle East and North Africa

Morocco Tangier-Mediterranean Port Security – USTDA provided $374,000 to the Tangier-Mediterranean Special Agency (TMSA) related to the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and the Container Security Initiative. The grant assisted TMSA in developing tender documents for the procurement of safety and security equipment and services. Hudson Marine Management Services provided the assistance.

Jordan National Freight Information and Transportation Hub (NAFITH) – USTDA is funding a $600,000 NAFITH pilot and study for the Jordanian Ministry of Transport. NAFITH is a country-wide freight information transportation system that supports Jordan’s efforts to promote trade efficiency, security and global competitiveness through market reforms. FreightDesk Technologies, Inc. is performing the study.

MENA Regional Port Security Workshop – USTDA funded a port security compliance workshop focusing on Middle East and North African countries was to assist countries in preparing location-specific plans to comply with the requirements of the ISPS code of the International Maritime Organization. USTDA collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard in carrying out the workshops.

South and Southeast Asia

Vietnam Transportation Logistics System – USTDA provided $148,170 to partially fund a study that will help Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) implement a transportation logistics system at their port operations in greater Ho Chi Minh City. The study would provide detailed recommendations to improve both the efficiency and security of cargo movements in and around greater HCMC, particularly at operations jointly owned by Vinalines and SSA Marine, the prime contractor.

APEC Regional ISPS Code Training – USTDA approved $242,000 to support technical assistance aimed at helping seven APEC economies meet ISPS requirements. This assistance will provide in-country training to help reduce maritime security incidents and promote trade among APEC members. SAIC Corporation is the contractor for this project.

Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) Conference – USTDA sponsored a transportation security conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference focused on both airport and seaport security, and launched what is now an annual transport security conference organized by APEC.

Bangladesh Chittagong Port Secure Trade and Container Scanning System – USTDA is funding a $293,615 program for the National Board of Revenue to assist in implementing a Chittagong Port Trade Facilitation Project. The technical assistance includes reviewing port security dispositions, making recommendations to ensure ISPS code compliance; defining the demand for and characteristics of scanners needed, and the location, process and procedures required for their operation; and assisting in preparing documents consistent with the demand analysis and applicable procurement rules. Aerospace Services International, Inc. is providing the assistance.

Indonesia Weh Island Transshipment Port – USTDA provided $512,950 to evaluate a proposed transshipment port facility on Weh Island. The terminal would provide shippers, including both oil tankers and container ships, with a strategic location to transfer cargo to smaller, regional vessels serving local markets throughout South and Southeast Asia.

Sub-Saharan Africa

African Trade Lanes Partnership – USTDA launched a two-year, $4 million initiative in April 2008 to promote the development of sub-Saharan Africa’s trade lanes and transportation networks to facilitate local, regional and global trade. The initiative is designed to promote regional cooperation and connectivity in all modes of transportation.

Senegal Multi-Commodity Port – A $326,420 grant to Société des Mines de Fer du Sénégal Oriental (Miferso) is supporting a study on a new multi-commodity port complex to be located south of Dakar. The proposed new port complex would serve as an export terminal for mining products, an import terminal for bulk materials, and a port of call for a new industrial zone.

Nigeria Ports Authority Integrated Computerization – A $429,746 grant to the Nigerian Ports Authority is helping to develop an integrated computerization plan for operations and management. The project will help increase productivity and will build human capacity to analyze, design and manage IT systems.

South Africa Ports Sector – A USTDA-sponsored reverse trade mission for the Department of Public Enterprises and the Department of Transportation assisted in their development of a strategic plan for South Africa's ports to achieve the government's vision for state-owned enterprises restructuring and transportation infrastructure recapitalization.

Ghana Ports of Tema and Takoradi Master Plans – USTDA provided $698,150 to update and expand Master Plans for the Ports of Tema and Takoradi. The ports’ development will serve multiple purposes, such as streamlining operations, managing increased container traffic, and facilitating the export and import of bulk goods. Halcrow Engineers PLC was competitively chosen to conduct the study.