Jurisdictional squabbles, looming mid-term elections, scuttle port security measures
Disagreements over jurisdiction and the coming November elections threaten to derail port security legislation; of special interest: The 100 percent container inspection clause passed by an overwhelming vote (421-2) in the House – but it is the only clause in the port safety legislation which is adamantly opposed by every part and every component of the shipping industry
A jurisdictional squabble in the U.S. Senate and the looming midterm elections in November may well put the brakes on port security legislation stateside. There are good and bad things, writes Rajesh Joshi of Lloyd’s List. On the plus side, there is solace available, even if temporary, for those who fear that all U.S.-bound containers could one day be destined for predeparture screening. No law at all means good news on this issue for now. On the other hand, a more paranoid strain is that a recent victory in averting 100 percent container inspection could amount to nothing if the law does not clear Congress this year.
If this happens, then the clock will be reset to zero after the elections, as the incoming House of Representatives and Senate each start the legislative process from scratch. It is difficult to tell what the new crop of legislators who will arrive in Congress will do come next January. On the one hand, the House in May passed the SAFE Port Act by a decisive vote of 421-2. On the other hand, we note that although other aspects of port security legislation have caused consternation in the industry, it appears that only the 100 percent container scanning legislation has united the industry in stiff opposition, and every part of the shipping sector strenuously rejects it.
