The American Association of Port Authorities, based in Alexandria, VA, and the Port of Houston Authority are jointly hosting the 12th Port Security Seminar and Exhibition. The conference, which began yesterday and will conclude Friday, is being held at the Hilton Americas-Houston at 1600 Lamar St.

Jean Godwin, executive vice president for the American Association of Port Authorities, says attendance this year has far surpassed that of previous conferences. She credits the increased number of attendees and exhibitors to the $400 million of port security grants earmarked to pay for technology against terrorism. "In the past, there hasn't been as much federal money available for technological innovations," she says. "Now ports can apply for grants to buy some of the equipment that will be exhibited at this year's conference."

Godwin tells GlobeSt.com that a major issue among ports is Transportation Worker Identification Cards, or TWICs, which are biometric identification cards for port workers who work in secure areas of the port. The TWICs were mandated by Congress' 2006 Safe Port Act.

The challenge for ports will be installing the biometric equipment needed to read the cards. "Ports are issuing the cards, but haven't acquired the readers yet to read them," Godwin explains. "What they're finding in the pilot programs is that the reader card technology will have to be a lot sturdier than similar readers in internal facilities. They need to function in all manner of outdoor environment."

Conference sessions are covering topics like port security surveys, cruise terminal security as well as security at special events, counter-terrorism strategies, cargo theft deterrence and railroad security. Featured speakers include Chuck Gallaway, deputy director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office of the US Department of Homeland Security, and Todd Owen, executive director with US Customs and Border Protection's Cargo and Conveyance Security.

Godwin says the conferences have been held every year since Sept. 11, 2001 in various locations in the US, Canada and Caribbean. She adds that Houston was a logical choice for this year's event because the local port authority is a leader in security. "The nice thing about moving the program around is the ability to highlight local security. Houston's doing an excellent job in that area," Godwin says.