SecurePort 2007 Conference Comes to Houston




   Dedicated to Serving the Port Security Community, and Safeguarding 
   the Marine Transportation System Throughout the Western Hemisphere

                 Port of Houston Authority to Serve As Host

HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The integration of the commercial transportation community in the ongoing processes of security planning and crucial multi-level execution will be the key focus as hundreds of delegates gather for the SecurePort 2007 Conference, to be held in Houston during January 29-31, 2007, at the Hilton Houston Post Oak, located at 2001 Post Oak Boulevard in Houston, Texas. Sponsored by the Port of Houston Authority (PHA), SecurePort 2007 will feature presentations from top industry and government executives representing a broad range of interests in the marine transportation system, including:



 -- Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, 8th
    District
 -- Rear Admiral Joseph Nimmich, U.S. Coast Guard Assistant
    Commandant for Policy and Planning
 -- Captain William Diehl, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Houston-
    Galveston Sector

"It is truly an honor to have U.S. Coast Guard leadership speak at SecurePort 2007," said SecurePort Program Director Raymond R. Barberesi. "SecurePort 2007 will have a concentrated focus on new issues of concern to the commercial sector. In particular, there will be highly enlightening insights and perspectives on the national and international strategies that are being developed among commercial and government stakeholders."

Port of Houston Authority Managing Director Wade M. Battles said, "In a world of threats and risks ranging from hurricanes to terrorist acts, security remains a top priority for Houston and ports throughout the world. SecurePort 2007 is the ideal forum for the exchange of information and the constructive development of partnerships, alliances and initiatives to help maintain the uninterrupted, free flow of cargo that is so essential to the vitality of the global economy."

SecurePort 2007 conference program topics include:



 -- Port security intelligence and communications integration
 -- Transformations in port security
 -- Security systems integration
 -- Port security operations and threat response
 -- Security technology
 -- U.S. National Strategy for Maritime Security (DHS, September 2005)
 -- International Outreach and Coordination Strategy to Enhance
    Maritime Security (U.S. State Department, November 2005)
 -- TWIC (transportation workers' identification card)

The standard rate for SecurePort 2007 registration is $995. The concessionary rate is $695 and is available only to verified port authorities, terminal operators and government/military employees. For more information about SecurePort 2007, call 561-333-3767 or visit www.secureportusa.com

The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,000 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and 10th largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com. To access the port's web site photo gallery, please visit http://www.portofhouston.com/publicrelations/publicrelations.html and click the link for PHA Photo Gallery.


            

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