The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) is conducting a survey to identify if those that use PHA’s terminal facilities have enrolled in the TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) Program, and if they have obtained their TWIC card.



As you may know, under current federal regulations, each trucker and other port users will be required to have a TWIC card for unescorted access to secure areas of port terminals. This includes the Port of Houston and all port terminals regulated by the Maritime Transportation Act of 2002 and regulations under 33 CFR Parts 101 and 105.



We request that those that will need a TWIC card obtain the card by the current enforcement date of April 15, 2009. Non-compliance may result in truckers being prohibited from accessing our terminals. Your cooperation will assure that our terminals will continue to operate without delay or interruption due to failure on anyone’s part to obtain a TWIC card. Failure to comply may result in trucking companies or PHA receiving a notice of violation from the United States Coast Guard.



In order to monitor the progress of the TWIC enrollment program, on Tuesday February 17, 2009 starting at 6:00 A.M., we will be asking those who enter our terminals if they have enrolled in the TWIC program and if they have acquired their TWIC card.



We request that you inform your trucking employees about the TWIC Program and the current federal deadline for obtaining a card to gain access to the secured areas of PHA’s terminals. PHA gate personnel will soon begin asking drivers if they have enrolled in the TWIC program and if they have obtained their TWIC cards. Please advise your drivers that when we ask them these questions it does NOT mean that they must have their TWIC cards at this time. If they do not yet have the card, it will not affect their current ability to gain access to our terminals. Again, we are only asking so that we can get an idea of how many truckers, and what percentage of truckers that use PHA’s facilities have enrolled in the TWIC program. We may conduct this survey on more than one occasion in order to see if enrollment is progressing over the next few months.



Jerry Simon at (713-569-0425 with any questions or comments you may have concerning this notice.

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