TSA looks to fund R&D

Transportation Security Administration officials are in the final review and approval process for research and development grants to support port security initiatives, according to spokeswoman Andrea Fuentes.

The grants will be issued as a result of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. To receive grant money, appropriate organizations or entities applied to the TSA's Request for Applications for the following projects:

n The Cargo Information Action Center will develop a prototype multijurisdictional, multiagency PC-based, wide-area secure communications and data analysis system to track vessels along the Columbia/Snake River near Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash.

n The Transparency in Vessel Ownership grant focuses on ways to identify the true flag states or port states of the registered owner of a vessel.

n Operation Restore will focus on developing a standard methodology and template for use by stakeholders for rerouting cargo around ports whose closure would most affect the economy.