Partnership brings radiation scanning to ports

QinetiQ North America (QNA) has teamed with VeriTainer Corp to provide its radiation scanning system to ports around the globe. VeriTainer, based in Fremont CA, has developed the VeriSpreader, a crane-mounted device that scans containers in real time for dangerous radiation as they are being loaded and unloaded from container ships.

This agreement couples VeriTainer’s technology with QNA’s systems engineering and data analysis capability to deliver scanning technology to world ports. The agreement follows VeriTainer’s two successful pilot projects. The Oakland test program demonstrated the efficiency of this technology and its design, as more than 20,000 containers have successfully been scanned without disruption to operations as they entered the Port of Oakland. Earlier in 2007, the VeriSpreader was awarded "Qualified Anti-Terrorist Technology (QATT) designation status by the Department of Homeland Security for developmental testing and evaluation.

VeriTainer’s crane based system eliminates the long dwell time between entry and scanning being experienced at many United States ports. Recent legislation signed by President Bush requires 100 percent scanning of all containers inbound to the nation by 2012. Now, for the first time, governments, the maritime industry, and other stakeholders have a physically secure scanning technology that requires no manning, making 100% port of origin and port of destination scanning feasible.