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For Immediate Release
October 9, 2003
Oakland, Calif. (October 8, 2003) - Port of Oakland is now a certified member of Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and as such has joined the ranks of companies and ports committed to security and the flow of international trade. C-TPAT Members are involved in a sustained effort to meet the challenge posed by terrorist threat to the United States.
C-TPAT is a government/business initiative to increase cargo security while improving the flow of trade. Under this program, participants must conduct comprehensive self-assessments of their supply chain using the security guidelines developed jointly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The program was introduced in 2002 partly as a response to the 9/11 attacks.
Port of Oakland Director of Maritime Jerry Bridges said, "We are pleased that
U. S. Customs and Border Protection has designated the Port of Oakland as a certified member of the C-TPAT program as it reinforces the commitment the Port has made to assuring the security of the Port's assets and the cargo interests it serves."
Under C-TPAT, a container imported by a validated member through a secure supply chain will be considered "low risk," and will be allowed to move efficiently through security. With this program in place, importers will be able to move their cargo sooner and CBP can focus its efforts and resources on any suspicious containers.
"Our participation in the Customs C-TPAT program is an important step in our efforts to meet the challenges posed by the terrorist threat to the nation. Working in cooperation with our business partners we will continue to proactively support U.S. Customs programs to protect our supply chain," stated the Port's General Manager of Maritime Ray Boyle.
Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Manager, Media/Public Relations
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com |
