Port and Maritime Security: Potential for Terrorist Nuclear Attack Using Oil Tankers

Abstract

While much attention has been focused on threats to maritime security posed by cargo container ships, terrorists could also attempt to use oil tankers to stage an attack. If they were able to place an atomic bomb in a tanker and detonate it in a U.S. port, they would cause massive destruction and might halt crude oil shipments worldwide for some time. Detecting a bomb in a tanker would be difficult. Congress may consider various options to address this threat. This report will be updated as needed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 07, 2004
Accession Number
ADA444937

Entities

People

  • Jonathan E. Medalia

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Coast Guard
  • Communication Systems
  • Containers
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Detection
  • Fissile Materials
  • Foreign Relations
  • Maritime Security
  • Materials
  • Middle East
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Bombs
  • Petroleum
  • Security
  • Security Personnel
  • Terrorists
  • United States

Readers

  • Maritime Security/Maritime Homeland Security
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security
  • Systems Analysis and Design