South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC) awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.86 million contract to enhance security at the Port of Camden, one of the leading ports on the country's eastern seaboard.

The agreement with SJPC represents Lockheed Martin's first contract specifically for port security since adoption of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). First mandated by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2002, the MTSA stipulates that ports revamp their existing security plans based on a Department of Homeland Security study finding the majority of the nation's ports were highly susceptible to sabotage and attack.

"The South Jersey Port Corporation has 75 years' experience with port security," said Joseph A. Balzano, South Jersey Port Corporation's executive director & CEO. "This new relationship will combine Lockheed Martin's technology solutions and the port's maritime experience to develop an enhanced port security environment second to none."

Lockheed Martin worked with the port to design three major projects that will enhance port safety measures by establishing a command center, training the Port of Camden's security force and installing perimeter security measures such as cameras and fencing.

"As a company with a passion for invention, our Homeland Security team was already designing solutions to meet the needs found in the MTSA, when we started working with South Jersey Port Corporation," said Dale Bennett, Lockheed Martin vice president for Coast Guard Systems. "The opportunity to deliver this new capability to a port in our own community provides an immediate close working relationship with our customer, and it demonstrates that our global work scope has strong local ties."

"Lockheed Martin has extensive experience providing safety and homeland security solutions to maritime regions," Bennett said. "It is a co-prime contractor modernizing the Coast Guard through the Deepwater Program, and its Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS) is being installed in 17 major U.S. ports."

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

              For additional information, visit our website:
                      http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

            and visit South Jersey Port Corporation's website:
                     http://www.southjerseyport.com/.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin