News Release
FOR RELEASE - July 18, 2018
Contact: Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, aellis@aapa-ports.org
(703) 684-5700
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
 |
21st century seaports are faced with a seemingly endless list of urgent physical threats, ranging from acts of terrorism, energy supply disruptions and border protection, to smuggling illegal drugs and weapons. Cyber network threats are increasingly concerning since a cyber breach has the potential to allow vessels to be hijacked, pipelines ruptured, cameras blinded, and facility gates left open by individuals operating hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
To address these concerns, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas – will hold its annual Port Security Seminar and Expo in Chicago, July 25-27. Program sessions include panels on maritime cybersecurity, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing challenges and issues related to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), along with an FBI security update and discussions on the federal Port Security Grant Program.
The seminar attracts chief security officers from ports throughout the U.S., as well as solution providers from the port service industry.
“This seminar promises to be extraordinary, featuring presentations by port and federal government officials, along with top subject matter experts, delving into newsworthy physical and cyber security implementation and funding issues at America’s ports. We’re particularly pleased to have representatives from the FBI, TSA, Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency on hand to share their perspectives on port security and funding challenges, and what’s being done to address them,” said AAPA Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jean Godwin.
For more information about AAPA’s 2018 Port Security Seminar and Expo agenda and speakers, click here.
| WHO: |
Presented by American Association of Port Authorities, hosted by the Illinois International Port District, and sponsored by Axis Communications. |
| WHAT: | AAPA’s 2018 Port Security Seminar and Expo event |
| WHEN: |
Wednesday - Friday, July 25-27, 2018 |
| WHERE: |
Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place, Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: (312) 787-2200 |
| MEDIA: | Professional journalists representing bona-fide news outlets may register for complimentary access to the seminar by emailing Aaron Ellis at aellis@aapa-ports.org or phoning (703) 254-7098 and requesting a media badge. |
About AAPA
Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today represents 140 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 250 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports. According to IHS Markit’s World Trade Service, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2016 totaled 3.49 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.01 trillion in value. Of that total, ports in Central and South America handled 1.71 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$941 billion, while North American ports handled 1.79 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.07 trillion. To meet the growing demand for trade, the AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org. On Twitter: http://twitter.com/AAPA_Seaports
