DHS moves ahead with TWIC ruling to secure access to U.S. ports
Staff -- Logistics Management, 1/3/2007
WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security officially announced today it has issued the final rule of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. DHS said in a press release that the rule was posted publicly on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Web site on January 1 and been delivered to the Federal Register to be posted.
TWIC is a biometric-based I.D. card for port workers. The objective of the TWIC initiative is to ensure that individuals who pose a security threat do not gain access to United States ports.
The rule is comprised of the TWIC enrollment process, disqualifying crimes, usage procedures, fees and other requirements for workers, port owners, and operators, according to the DHS. The DHS added that these guidelines allow the industry, government and public to prepare for the implementation of the program.
The rule was initially published in May 2006. And the TSA and the U.S. Coast Guard subsequently held four public hearings and received more than 1,900 comments on the initial rule from workers, port facility owners and operators, small business owners and other parties that would be affected by the program.
The TWIC program is expected to cover 750,000 workers who require unescorted access to ports, ships and offshore platforms that currently are regulated by the Marine Transportation Security Act. This includes port employees, longshoremen, truck drivers, rail workers, and merchant mariners.
The program would also require the following:
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Collection of worker's biographic information, including fingerprints, photo, contact information, and employment information;
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Background checks, including a review of criminal history records, terrorist watch lists, immigration status, and outstanding warrants;
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Utilization of "smart card" technology in a card that would include a photo, personal data, biometric information (such as fingerprints), and fraud-prevention measures;
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Integration of TWIC by port facility and vessel owners into existing access-control systems and operations, and an update of their approved security plans.
The program would be funded through user fees; most workers would pay between $139-$159 for an I.D. card that would be valid for five years.
Enrollment in the TWIC program will begin in March at a few U.S.-based ports. The DHS said that port workers will be notified of when and where to apply prior to the start of the enrollment period in their specific area.
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