Experts in the anti-terrorism field are beginning to coalesce behind theory that the next large scale terrorist event, or “man-made disaster”, as our double-speak political class now wish to refer to such events, will arrive via sea.  That seems the only logical explanation to explain the sudden surge of new radiation detection acquisitions by Coast Guard and marine transport inspection agencies around the world.

Since airplanes, however tempting and effective they may be as tool for mass panic, have been effectively smothered in variously annoying security protocols, it is marine transport which offers the most porous entry point for weapons of mass destruction.

With typical cargo ships the length of a football field or more, there are limitless opportunities for weapons smuggling.  This slow motion threat is not lost on the people responsible for national safety.  Now when security personnel board ships entering harbors or interdicted at sea, they will carry hand held Geiger counters as they inspect the vessel and cargo.

It takes just one uninspected container or one hidden suitcase bomb to disrupt international trade and throw the entire shipping world into chaos for months on end.