SINGAPORE COMMENCES MEGAPORTS PILOT PROJECT

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 001153 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR DOE/NNSA KRISTEN ASTOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG EWWT TRGY KSCA KNNP PARM PTER SN SUBJECT: SINGAPORE COMMENCES MEGAPORTS PILOT PROJECT REF: A. 05 SINGAPORE 01848 ¶B. 04 SINGAPORE 02631 ¶1. (SBU) The Department of Energy and Singapore on April 4 commenced joint operations of a Second Line of Defense (SLD) Megaports pilot project at Singapore's Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT). Radiation detectors installed at two of the terminal's five truck lanes will monitor export containers and a limited amount of inter-terminal transshipped cargo. Between now and the completion of the pilot program in six months, Singapore and DOE will hold two reviews to determine how, and if, to expand its scope. A final review is scheduled for September. ¶2. (SBU) Singapore became the first country in Southeast Asia to begin Megaports implementation, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on March 10, 2005. The scope of the pilot project is among our smallest, a reflection in part of Singapore's ongoing concerns with how radiation scanning might adversely affect port efficiency. (Singapore is the world's second highest-volume container port.) We thus expect the proportion of Singapore exports and transshipments scanned at PPT during the pilot project to be low (i.e., not all of PPT's lanes are equipped with radiation detectors and Singapore will not, at least during the pilot phase, scan cargo with a short turnaround time). Per DOE, Megaports projects should aim to scan most, if not all, cargo. ¶3. (SBU) Port officials have told us that, to minimize delays, their goal is to assess a container's threat level (based on radiation profile) within fifteen seconds after it trips an alarm. They have suggested that the GOS may not expand the project or could even discontinue it should inspectors be unable to meet this goal. Note: DOE contractors have indicated that one minute is, in their experience, a more realistic timeframe. End note. Singapore might also consider switching to different radiation detection equipment, though possibly continue to use Megaports staff for training and support, according to DOE. ¶4. (SBU) We will continue to work closely with the GOS and port operators to ensure they receive the necessary training and support to minimize cargo processing delays. DOE and the Embassy will carefully monitor the project's progress throughout its pilot phase. ¶5. (SBU) DOE has cleared this cable. HERBOLD