The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday announced that the installation of equipment to detect radiation at Kaohsiung Harbor had been completed, bringing Taiwan online as part of global efforts to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Under the auspices of the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), the Second Line of Defense Megaports Initiative provides radiation detection equipment and training at major ports worldwide to strengthen the capability of the international community to detect and interdict trafficking in nuclear material through maritime shipping.
Better known by its shorter name, the Megaports Initiative equips ports with radiation portal monitors for the detection of radiation, handheld devices to identify radioactive isotope, optical character recognition technology to identify containers, communications equipment to send data to a central alarm station, as well as training and technical support.
The Megaports Initiative, which brings in customs, law enforcement, port authorities, terminal operators and other government agencies, is now operational in 34 ports worldwide, with work under way at 18 other ports in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Megaports Initiative seeks to equip 100 seaports with radiation detection systems by 2016, scanning about 50 percent of global maritime containerized cargo and more than 80 percent of US-bound container traffic.
KEY LINK
The AIT and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the Megaports Initiative in Taiwan in 2006. Because of its strategic location, high volume and role as a key transshipment port in the Asian region, the inclusion of Kaohsiung Harbor in the initiative was seen as key to strengthening interdiction in the region.
Work to equip Kaohsiung Harbor began in 2007, with the installation of radiation detection equipment and training of Taiwanese officials. Because of the size of Kaohsiung Harbor, work was divided into two phases, with phase 1 involving the installation of detection equipment at terminals 2, 3 and 5, and phase 2 the completion of terminals 1 and 4, AIT said.
Kaohsiung Customs launched Megaports Initiative operations in November 2009 at all phase 1 sites, with all phase 2 sites coming online in October last year.
According to the NNSA, more than 90 percent of global commerce is transported through the maritime shipping network via cargo containers, with about 500 million twenty-foot-equivalent units — a measure of volume in the transport of containers — transiting the globe annually.
ROGUE STATES
Because of its technological base and strategic location for direct shipment or transshipment, Taiwan has become the focus of rogue states such as Iran and North Korea and non-state organizations seeking to acquire material that could be used in the production of nuclear weapons.
In August 2003, the North Korean cargo vessel Be Gaehung was detained at Kaohsiung Harbor after US intelligence notified Taiwanese authorities that the vessel was suspected of carrying chemicals associated with rocket fuel.
Reports in December 2009 showed that Iran sought to obtain hundreds of pressure transducers, which can be used to enrich uranium to weapons grade, from Heli-Ocean Technology Co, a Taiwanese agent, via a company based in Shanghai.
AIT, the US Department of Energy, the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate General of Customs will celebrate the completion of the project at a ceremony on Friday at the US Commerce and Culture Activity Center in Greater Kaohsiung, AIT said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS