“We Still Need Legislation to Ensure that No Foreign-Government Owned Operations Control U.S. Seaports”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin said today that it is appropriate that Dubai Ports World (DPW) give up efforts to take over operations at six U.S. seaports.  DPW is owned by the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and the Congressman has introduced legislation that would prohibit any foreign-government owned operations at U.S. seaports.
 
“Congress must still act to protect the Port of Baltimore and other ports around the nation.  It's just common sense that in a post 9-11 world, we cannot allow a foreign country to have control of our nation’s ports,” said Rep. Cardin.
 
The Congressman is the senior Democrat on the House Trade Subcommittee and he has introduced the Secure America’s Port Operations Act, HR 4839, with Rep. Clay Shaw, R-FL, chairman of the subcommittee. 

“This is a positive step, but we still need to enact legislation to significantly improve security at our nation’s ports,” he said.   In 2004, as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Cardin co-sponsored the Secure Coast Act to strengthen port security by establishing tough standards for inspecting cargo containers. 
 

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