Trans-Atlantic deal on port security

Brussels and Washington signed a landmark customs deal on Thursday designed to boost port security as part of the fight against terrorism.

The framework agreement covers the security of cargo containers from all locations that are imported into, through or transit the EU and the US.

Both sides will share information and best practice on setting up common standards for risk assessments and screening technology.

"This is an important step forward," said Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein in a statement.

"Together the EU and the US will be in a position to deliver a major contribution to ensuring that trade can take place in a secure environment on the basis of reciprocity."

The deal ends a long running dispute between the two sides over raising security levels in ports following the terrorist attacks against the US in 2001 and the Madrid bombings this year.

It replaces bilateral agreements made between the US and several EU countries who had allowed US security officials to be stationed in their national ports.

The European Commission had opposed these individual deals and launched legal action against the countries involved, arguing that such security arrangements should be negotiated at EU level.

About 90 per cent of the world's cargo is carried by container and about 50 per cent of all imports arrive at U.S. ports each year.

According to commission data the EU's biggest three ports, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, handle around 500 million tonnes of goods a year.

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