The American Association of Port Authorities, based inAlexandria, VA, and the Port of Houston Authority are jointlyhosting the 12th Port Security Seminar and Exhibition. Theconference, which began yesterday and will conclude Friday, isbeing held at the Hilton Americas-Houston at 1600 Lamar St.

Jean Godwin, executive vice president for the AmericanAssociation of Port Authorities, says attendance this year has farsurpassed that of previous conferences. She credits the increasednumber of attendees and exhibitors to the $400 million of portsecurity grants earmarked to pay for technology against terrorism."In the past, there hasn't been as much federal money available fortechnological innovations," she says. "Now ports can apply forgrants to buy some of the equipment that will be exhibited at thisyear's conference."

Godwin tells GlobeSt.com that a major issue among ports isTransportation Worker Identification Cards, or TWICs, which arebiometric identification cards for port workers who work in secureareas of the port. The TWICs were mandated by Congress' 2006 SafePort Act.