The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The United States National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Bangladesh's partner, the Ministry of Shipping and other government agencies to install radiation detection equipment and associated infrastructure at the Chittagong Port, according to a press release issued yesterday.

It said the NNSA would also provide training to Bangla-deshi officials on the use of equipment.

The Chittagong Port is a major cargo container hub in South Asia and a strategic transit point in the international maritime trading system. The United States is the largest destination of exports from Bangladesh.

"Considering Bangladesh's strategic South Asian location, this agreement is a major step forward in preventing nuclear materials from being smuggled through maritime cargo container traffic," said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation William Tobey. "NNSA appreciates Bangladesh's willingness to cooperate with us in this critical mission and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts," he added.

The work is part of the Megaports Initiative, a program under the NNSA's Second Line of Defense Program, which aims to strengthen the capability of foreign governments to deter, detect, and interdict illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials across international borders and through the global maritime shipping system.

The Megaports Initiative provides radiation detection equipment, training, and technical support to key international seaports to scan cargo containers for nuclear and other radioactive materials.

Around the world, the Megaports Initiative is currently operational in 19 ports and work is underway at over 20 additional ports in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the US Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.

It maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the US Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad, the press release said.