Panama Canal protected by detection tech

COLON, Panama, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New nuclear threat detection technologies are currently operating in Panama after a recent agreement with the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration.

The United States and Panama recently reached an agreement that paved the way for the NNSA, in partnership with the Manzanillo International Terminal and others, to install advanced radiation detection systems at the Panama Canal's Atlantic and Pacific Ocean megaports, the NNSA reported.

The ports, located at Colon and Panama City, are currently operating the scanning technologies to prevent the smuggling of illicit nuclear materials in cargo containers, as part of the Container Security Initiative.

"We are working closely with the Panamanian National Customs Authority and with the private terminal operators in Panama to prevent nuclear terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," William Tobey, NNSA deputy administrator for defense nuclear non-proliferation, said in a statement.

"The success of this project reflects a strong commitment and desire on behalf of the government of Panama to secure its ports from illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials."