TWIC Program at Port of Houston Upgrades Security Standards.

The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will begin enforcing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program on April 14th, 2009.

The TWIC program is mandated by federal law and regs., including the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), the SAFE Port Act of 2006, and the regs. in 33 CFR Parts 101 and 105. Gateway Logistics Group is a Houston Freight Forwarder that will comply to this new TWIC program, and will even be able to supply escorts if a client has need.

The TWIC program is administered by two federal agencies that are part of the Department of Homeland Security, namely the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). There will be two TWIC Enrollment Centers in the Houston area. You may wish to go to the website of these agencies foradditional information about the TWIC program. TSA’s TWIC website is: http://www.tsa.gov/twic

We understand that persons needing a TWIC may enroll for one at either of two Houston TWIC enrollment centers the addresses of which are as follows (these should be confirmed with TSA in case of change):

1. Portway Plaza (a/k/aWest Gulf Maritime Association Building), Suite 100,1717 Turning Basin, Houston, Texas, 77029 – located just off of TurningBasin Drive which is the exit on the west side of I-610 to the north ofClinton Drive.

2. 2900 Woodridge Drive, Suite 314, Houston, TX 77087 – this is located inthe Gulfgate Shopping Center in the Chase Bank Building at I-45 and I-610.2

The Port of Houston Authority PHA intends to support and comply with the federal TWIC program and regulations.

They have been informed by the USCG that it will commence enforcement of the TWIC regulations at the Houston Area facilities in Harris County on April 14, 2009.

At that time, each person requiring access to secured or restricted areas port facilities will be required to have a TWIC card or, alternatively, be escorted by a qualified TWIC escort. The PHA further indicates that it will not be responsible for the cost of compliance for TWIC or any other security rules, regulations and requirements, nor is it required toprovide a TWIC escort for any person.

The areas that will be effected by the new TWIC requirement in the Houston area are the PHA's Turning Basin Terminal fenced-off lower level (waterfront area) as well as several upper level areas and buildings that are secured and/or restricted and require a TWIC for unescorted access. Also included will be most of the Barbours Cut and Bayport Container Terminals, and some sections of the Bayport Cruise Terminal. You must check before entering the PHA areas to make sure that TWIC access is or is not required.

It is important to note that the PHA does not intend to provide TWIC escorts to vendors, and is advising all port vendors that thier employees, contractors, agents or others working in their behalf or under thier control should have a TWIC in their possession (which can be inspected by USCG inspectors as well as PHA police, security guards and others involved in security) no later than April 14, 2009 in order to be eligible for access to the secured areas of PHA’s facilities. The futher indicated that, persons desiring access to any part of PHA facilities must have a bona fide business purpose and be otherwise authorized for such access, and PHA reserves the right to set regulations and grant or deny access for reasons in addition to possession or non-possession of a TWIC card.

The Port of Houston has also indicated that any fine that applies as a result of failure to meet the new TWIC requirement will be subject to full reimbursement from the person, company, or vendor that failed to maintain TWIC Standards.

If you have need to access the port and do not have a TWIC, please contact the Gateway Logistics Group, Inc. for assistance, unless you are a truck driver. Trucker's can request an escort at the port directly from the port. We have qualified TWIC Escorts to enter the port if a client has a bonafide reason for entering the Port Of Houston TWIC Areas, (i.e. to inspect freight, view a vessel loading, etc.). Contact sales at sales@gateway-group.com if you have additional questions/ This information is provided from a Letter Published to the trade by the Port of Houston Authority on Feb. 26, 2009.

The Gateway Logistics Group - A freight forwarder focusing on logistics management in ocean freight forwarding, air freight shipping and trucking logistics can assist you with your shipping requirements. We are a logistics company offering transportation logistics for freight forwarding and logistic services for freight transportation, customs brokerage for global logistics, cargo insuranace for transport logistics and freight tracking for all worldwide logistics services. If you need additional information please visit our website at http://www.gateway-group.com or contact us at sales@gateway-group.com