MTSA Regulated Facilities Security Management

Prior to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, maritime security did not exist in the way it does today. Collecting customs, enforcing trade restrictions and prohibiting narcotics and counterfeit items from entering our ports topped our security agenda. Enacted by the 107th United States Congress and signed into law in 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act defined the new role of MTSA regulated facilities security management for the maritime industry. MTSA is a significant piece of legislation with the key requirement of preventing any maritime transportation incident that results in economic disruption, environmental damage, marine transportation system disruption or significant loss of life.

Since trade and port security were considered inseparable, the biggest challenge for new legislation was to determine the best measures for tighter maritime security without disrupting trade. MTSA reinforces the important role that our nation's ports play in maintaining a thriving global economy and provides the framework for ensuring the safety of our domestic ports and ongoing maritime commerce. The United States Coast Guard was challenged with implementing MTSA regulated facilities security management through a series of plans focused on high-risk sectors, including large cruise ships, cargo vessels, barges, tank vessels, offshore oil and natural gas platforms, critical assets and infrastructures, and ports that handle certain types of dangerous cargo.

Enhanced security measures were enacted in August 2016 with new requirements for managing the Transportation Workers Identification Credential (or TWIC® card). The TWIC® program called for issuance of a tamper-resistant biometric credential for maritime workers and visitors who require unescorted access to secure areas and vessels. In accordance with the original MTSA regulations, the only requirement was for visual inspection of TWIC® cards by security personnel at entry points. The recent amendment allows for new Coast Guard rules that require electronic TWIC® validation in three parts: 1) card authentication; 2) card validation; and 3) identification verification using biometric fingerprint match.