Pan American Technical Services

Current Operations for Puerto Cortes, Honduras

In support of Honduran national security objectives, PATS personnel designed and implemented the only United States Customs and Border Patrol Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) maritime seaport program in the Central American region. The non-intrusive cargo inspection program had a direct impact on achieving US Customs Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) certification in compliance with the United States Megaports program.

Cargo security screening operations, planning, and development are a critical component to the successful deployment and implementation of a technology based cargo screening program for maritime seaports. PATS primary objective was to develop a cargo screening program that has the least impact on container and vehicle traffic. Currently, Puerto Cortes inspects approximately 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent (TEU’s) cargo containers per year. PATS began the non-intrusive inspection program by identifying, vetting, training, and supervising a 45-person Bi-lingual team to analyze imagery of containerized cargo, as well as performed all technical maintenance and administrative tasks.

PATS personnel are proficient in performing hands-on, real-time analysis and evaluations of the cargo container images produced by the high-energy examining equipment. By monitoring the equipment, PATS personnel have quickly become skillful at systems operations and imagery analysis of inspected cargo.

PATS personnel capture all data and relay cargo image anomalies information to the Honduras Customs Officers (DEI). Should any container produce a positive alarm for elevated radiation levels, the container is isolated in a secure area prompting a response by Honduran Customs Officers and US Customs personnel. The container is further analyzed utilizing specialized radiation monitoring equipment. The Honduran authorities can then take appropriate action for positive identification and resolution of the anomaly. The container will not be shipped to the United States until it is cleared by Honduran and US Customs Officers and the US Department of Energy Central Alarm System.