Port security: DHS pushes TWIC compliance deadline back to April 15, 2009

Jeff Berman, Group News Editor -- Logistics Management, 5/2/2008

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security said earlier today that it is pushing back the final compliance date of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to April 15, 2009 from September 25, 2008, which was the compliance date set in the original TWIC rule.

TWIC is a biometric-based ID to be used by port workers to ensure that individuals who pose a security threat do not gain access to secure areas of U.S. ports. The TWIC program is expected to cover approximately 1.5 million workers who require unescorted access to ports, ships, and offshore platforms that are currently regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act. This includes port employees, longshoremen, truck drivers, rail workers, and merchant marines.

DHS said in a statement that the seven month extension is a result of collaboration with port officials and industry stakeholders, and it realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule.

Moving the deadline back appears to be a logical decision, considering that only 75,349 TWIC cards have been issued as of press time and 250,678 people have enrolled to receive the card.

In an interview with LM last month—prior to today’s DHS announcement regarding the deadline being pushed back, Unisys Director of Port and Cargo Security Ted Langhoff said that with so few people actually in possession of a card [prior to] the original deadline, a lot of ground needs to be covered. If TWIC enrollment does not pick up soon, U.S. ports are likely to have some serious operational issues, as well as slow down anticipated progress for the field testing, said Langhoff. Unisys was recently awarded with a three-year biometric ID authentication and access control contract from The Port Authority of Los Angeles that will focus on TWIC.

The DHS added that Owners and operators of facilities located within Captain of the Port Zones Boston, Northern New England, and Southeastern New England will need to comply by October 15, 2008. The reason for this is ports were selected based on favorable conditions that facilitate near-term implementation.

“These ports are ideal for initial compliance based upon geographic proximity, the size of their TWIC enrollment population, and respective enrollment efforts to date,” said the DHS statement. Additional ports will be announced in the coming weeks, said the DHS, and the Coast Guard will provide at least 90 days notice prior to enforcement. TWIC enrollment began at the Port of Wilmington, Del. in October 2007.