By Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld and Alyssa A. Lappen
FrontPageMagazine.com | March 24, 2006

While different port security bills have been proposed after the Dubai’s retreat from the deal, few, if any tackle the issue of foreign ownership. Yet, as Rep Christopher Shays noted, “We should want to pay particular attention to this because after 9/11 we’re not just fighting terrorism we are fighting radical Islamic terrorists.”

The failed DP World deal drew attention to the fact that most U.S. ports are managed by foreigners. Yet, while the American public was concerned about a deal with the Untied Arab Emirates (UAE), which assists the U.S. in the war on terror, but also assists HAMAS, few noticed that the Saudis have long owned a fifty percent stake in the Houston-headquartered Motiva Enterprises LLC. Saudi Arabia, of course, continues to fund the spread of radical Islam around the world.

Motiva is a joint venture of the Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining, a subsidiary of Aramco, the Saudi government-owned company. Motiva ships petroleum products, including gasoline and aviation fuel, into Connecticut, where it owns and operates portions of the New Haven and Bridgeport ports.

Additionally, Motiva operates portions of 15 other ports nationwide, in Tampa; Fort Lauderdale; Dania, Fl.; Hollywood, Fl.; Baltimore; Lawrence and New York, N.Y.; Newark and Sewaren, NJ; Convent and Norco, La.; South Portland, Me.; Providence; Port Arthur and Port Nechas in Texas; Since 2002, Motiva received in one year alone, at least 14 port security grants totaling at least $4 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to undated DHS documents. The grants were awarded for “surveillance” and “physical enhancement.” Finally, Motiva owns two Louisiana refineries and full or partial interests in 47 product terminals. Motiva also owns above-ground storage tanks in the port of Baltimore, as in the other ports. Motiva and its partner Shell Oil, collectively account for about 10 percent of total refining capacity and a 13 percent share of U.S. gasoline sales. Continue reading “Protecting U.S. Strategic Assets” →

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