Terrorism threat prompting new security at coastal storage, terminaling facilities

THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States have presented a new security burden on storage and terminaling operations across the country. In California, approximately 80 terminals are located on the shoreline and require updated security measures, said Lawrence Hope of the California State Lands Commission, Long Beach, California.

With oversight of the marine terminals, the commission assessed the facilities and developed a checklist to set up a security profile for each facility.

“In some cases, the location of the storage tanks adjacent to public roads presents a critical problem,” said Hope. “Most storage tanks have access roads that run next to, or close to, the security boundaries. This close access increases the risk of terrorist activity. We found that another major vulnerability of most marine terminals appears to be an attack from the waterside of a vessel while conducting a transfer.”

The commission developed a regulation to require the terminals to conduct a physical survey; implement a security program; formulate a security plan; and appoint a security officer.

Hope urged terminal managers to take responsibility for the terminal security. “No one knows better the operation, vulnerabilities, and dangers than you,” he said. “Decide what it is that you want to protect. Determine what you have in place right now and start there. Write and implement a plan, and don't be afraid to adjust it as necessary.”