NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration turned over control of nuclear threat-detection systems to Belgium after two years of successful operation.
The NNSA, under an agreement with the Belgium Customs and Excise Administration, integrated a radiation threat-detection system at the Port of Antwerp as part of the Second Line of Defense Program Megaports Initiative, the NNSA reported.
The NNSA and Belgium have been working to prevent nuclear proliferation through the installation of scanning and sensor equipment at the Port of Antwerp, one of the largest container-traffic ports in Europe.
After two years of the NNSA successfully operating the Port of Antwerp radiation-detection equipment, officials have transferred authority of the systems to the Belgian government and Antwerp Port Authority.
"The government of Belgium is a strong partner of the United States in the prevention of nuclear terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Ken Baker, NNSA principal assistant deputy administrator for defense nuclear non-proliferation, said in a statement.
"With two years of successful operation, the Belgian customs and excise service has demonstrated its commitment and ability to secure Belgian ports from illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials."
