Speeches and Articles 2008
Posidonia 2008: An Opportunity to Reflect on Joint Shipping Interests and Initiatives
Article by Ambassador Speckhard
"Naftika Hronika"
June 2008
Greece operates the largest merchant marine fleet in the world and is a clear leader in international shipping. People in industry have been talking about the “Greek shipping miracle” for over two decades and, consequently, the biannual Posidonia international maritime exhibition in Athens is recognized as one of the world’s most important industry showcases.
This year, Posidonia 2008 marks the 12th time the U.S. Commercial Service has organized a U.S. Pavilion, and nearly 40 top American firms, leaders in the world marine market, will be participating. Their presence demonstrates their recognition of Posidonia’s importance as an international trade event, their eagerness to offer American products and services of the highest quality at competitive prices to the Greek and neighboring maritime communities, and their commitment to the critical Greek market.
In addition, U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton will be attending along with a VIP delegation from the State of Louisiana, led by the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Don Pierson. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) will be participating as well. Posidonia 2008 will, therefore, also be showcasing the long history of U.S.-Greece cooperation in shipping in both commercial and government sectors, which is a tribute to the magnitude and importance of the Greek merchant marine fleet.
In the U.S., the importance of the shipping industry cannot be overestimated. Our Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates that 40% of all incoming U.S. trade arrives by ship in nearly 32,000 containers per day. One in ten jobs in California’s populous Los Angeles County is derived directly or indirectly from port activities, and longshoremen are currently the highest-paid blue collar workers in the U.S.
The magnitude of this industry demands coordinated and sustained efforts for its security and protection, and the U.S. works closely with Greece, the European Union, and all its partners and allies on this issue. Our flagship Container Security Initiative, or CSI, is one of the newest and most effective multilateral port security programs to date. CSI allows both the U.S. and a host nation to ensure the security of cargo destined for the U.S.
In June 2004, the Port of Piraeus joined CSI, and we are grateful for the close cooperation of Greek authorities in this initiative. As part of CSI, DHS provides Greece with specialized training, equipment, and high-level information sharing that, in turn, allow Greece to improve its own security systems. Joint U.S.-Greece efforts through CSI are making Piraeus a safer port and a more attractive point of origin for shippers to the U.S. To date, 58 ports worldwide are part of CSI, and 20 of those are within the European Union. The World Customs Organization, the European Union, and the G-8 support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world. Separately, the U.S. reached an agreement in March 2008 with the European Union to pursue a road map for mutual recognition of our respective shipping trade security systems, and we are continuing to work on ways to make the most modern security technologies, like electronic scanning equipment, standard at all ports. The European Union is a key partner in improving supply chain and port security, not just in our respective ports, but all over the world.
The U.S. also recognizes the important role that the International Maritime Organization plays in security and environmental matters, and we believe that its involvement with all 167 member states ensures that international maritime arrangements are consistent with international law. One recent example of the importance of the International Maritime Organization occurred late last year when a tour boat began to sink off the coast of Antarctica. Nearby vessels, following International Maritime Organization conventions, were monitoring emergency radio frequencies and were able to rescue all the passengers. The International Maritime Organization is also a major force behind the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, another important driver for port security improvements, setting minimum international standards for protecting international maritime trade. We applaud the efforts of the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine for making Greek ports compliant with this Code.
These bilateral and multilateral initiatives are critical to ensure a safe, vibrant international shipping industry, and the U.S. will continue to participate actively in them. Posidonia 2008 represents the strength and importance of our cooperation in enhancing port security in the U.S., in Greece, and worldwide.