Australia is spending $3 million to establish a federal 1,000-nautical mile security buffer around its coastline, The Australian said Wednesday.
Under the new command, existing navy and Customs ships and resources will be used, but under federal, rather than state and territorial supervision.
The maritime security revamp arose from intelligence that identified threats from the sea as fears increase around the world of terrorist attacks through less secure ports and on vulnerable oil tankers, the report said.
Beginning in March, the Australian Maritime Information Zone will demand ships passing through provide details of their journey and what they are carrying. When ships come within 200 nautical miles, they will be required to give even more detail of cargoes, ports visited, ship owners, registration and destination.
The federal government will take all responsibility, including for offshore oil rigs and ships at sea, but the states will remain responsible for security at ports, which annually record 25,000 visits.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
