Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SINGAPORE1153
2006-04-11 03:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:  

SINGAPORE COMMENCES MEGAPORTS PILOT PROJECT

Tags:  ENRG EWWT TRGY KSCA KNNP PARM PTER SN 
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VZCZCXRO8704
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGP #1153 1010306
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110306Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9509
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2166
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0530
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5331
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 5986
RUESLE/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0001
RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
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

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