MADRID, SPAIN – The United States and Spain today signed an agreement to begin a joint effort in the war on terrorism by installing special equipment at one of Spain’s busiest seaports to detect and stop hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive materials.

The agreement is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Megaports Initiative, a program aimed at stopping illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material. This is the fifth cooperative agreement and joins efforts currently in place in the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Greece (Piraeus), Sri Lanka, and Belgium.

U.S. Charge d'Affaires to Spain, J. Robert Manzanares, joined Ilmo. Sr. D. Nicolas Jesus Bonilla Penvela, Director of the Department of Customs and Special Taxes in signing the agreement.

The Megaports Initiative is part of the Department’s "Second Line of Defense" programs, the U.S. government program designed to work with foreign governments to deter, detect, and interdict illegal shipments of nuclear materials. 

“Successful detection of radioactive materials as they cross a country’s borders is fundamental in stopping a nuclear or dirty bomb attack,” said Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. “The citizens of Spain, along with the United States and other countries, will be better protected against a nuclear terrorist attack with this equipment installed in Spain’s seaports.”  

Under the Megaports Initiative, the Department of Energy’s NNSA works with foreign partners to equip major seaports with radiation detection equipment and to provide training to appropriate law enforcement officials. The specialized radiation detection technology deployed under this program is based on technologies originally developed by Department laboratories as part of overall U.S. government efforts to guard against proliferation of weapons materials.

Media contacts:
Joe Davis, 202/586-4940
Bryan Wilkes, 202/586-7371