Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) has entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Energy to install special equipment at Dubai Ports to detect and stop hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive materials. The agreement also ensures specialised training for the staff of Dubai Customs and will result in regular exchange of information on radioactive materials between the two parties.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation signed this major agreement with U.S. Ambassador Michele J. Sison. The agreement is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Megaports Initiative, a program aimed at stopping illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material. Dubai Customs joins efforts currently in place in the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Belgium.
The Megaports Initiative is part of the Department’s “Second Line of Defense”, a U.S. government program designed to work with foreign governments to deter, detect, and interdict illegal shipments of nuclear materials.
“Successful detection of radioactive materials will enable Dubai authorities to stop the transshipment of these materials through the UAE’s busiest seaports,” said Ambassador Sison. “This agreement will help in averting the dangers posed by the unrestricted movement of these materials, with this equipment installed.”
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, remarked, “The signing of this agreement has enhanced Dubai’s position as a global trading hub. By detecting radioactive materials in the port we can be fully assured that there are no hazardous materials in the port and ensure safe and legal shipment of goods.”
This agreement is in line with the efforts of Dubai Customs to increase the level of safety with regard to the shipment of goods from the ports. US Department of Energy’s NNSA will also provide training to appropriate law enforcement officials. The specialized radiation detection technology deployed under this program is based on technologies originally developed by Department laboratories as part of overall U.S. government efforts to guard against proliferation of nuclear and other radioactive materials.
