The US National Nuclear Security Administration has chosen Haifa as its home port in Israel, and intends to invest millions of dollars in installing an advanced system for screening and identifying radioactive materials. The choice of Haifa comes against a background of constant growth in exports of goods from Jordan and Iraq to the US via this port, and because of its growth potential.
The choice of Haifa is part of a global project of the US National Nuclear Security Administration called Megaport. The project covers the main ports around the world from which exports are shipped to the US. Among the countries taking part in the project are Singapore, China, Spain, Sri Lanka, Holland, and Greece.
As part of the project, sensors will be installed at the entrances to Haifa Port. These will scan all cargo entering the port to ensure that they contain no radioactive or radiological material. The US National Nuclear Security Administration has also approved use of the system to scan goods entering Israel.
The US National Nuclear Security Administration's Megaport initiative is part of its efforts to combat the possibility of unconventional weaponry being smuggled into the US for the purposes of constructing a "dirty bomb".
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on December 26, 2005