Decision Sciences Announces the First Operational Deployment of the Multi-Mode Passive Detection System™ for Nuclear and Radiological Threats at Freeport Container Port in the Bahamas

FREEPORT, Bahamas, Aug. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Sciences International Corporation, an advanced technology provider of security and detection systems, today announced the deployment of its first fully operational Multi-Mode Passive Detection System (MMPDS), an advanced scanning device capable of locating both unshielded to heavily shielded nuclear and radiological threats inside cargo containers.  Decision Sciences demonstrated the operational system for security firms, shipping lines and government officials at the Freeport Container Port in the Bahamas.

"Securing the world's global supply chain is vital and there is no technology currently deployed that can both safely scan shielded and unshielded cargo for hidden radiological threats and do so without slowing the flow of activity at a busy port," said Godfrey Smith, CEO at Freeport Container Port, a member of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), the world's leading port investor, developer and operator. 

Decision Sciences MMPDS, based on technology originally developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is capable of scanning all types of cargo containers, vehicles and rail cars without impeding the flow of commerce and without generating harmful radiation.  The MMPDS technology was introduced to the HPH group by its Senior Vice President Gary Gilbert.

Commenting on the live demonstration at the Hutchison Port Holdings' Freeport Container Port, Decision Sciences President and CEO Dr. Stanton D. Sloane said,

"We're fortunate to be working with Hutchison, the world's leading port developer and operator with a history dating back to 1866. We're both committed to securing our ports against a threat that the 9/11 Commission identified a decade ago. With this new technology, Hutchison continues to set the pace for establishing secure, state-of-the-art Ports around the world."

Since MMPDS is completely passive – meaning there are no radiation or safety issues relative to its use – it can safely scan all types of cargo, and is harmless to animals, people, food and other materials sensitive to high energy radiation.  Due to its ability to see through heavy shielding, MMPDS can provide an effective defense against nuclear smuggling – what RAND and other researchers have said is a "one trillion dollar catastrophe waiting to happen."

"MMPDS is safe, effective, reliable, accurate and represents the best of American scientific innovation," said Sloane. "This technology addresses a serious threat to not only our safety and security, but to the global economy as well. MMPDS enables compliance with the U.S. 9/11 Commission recommendation for 100% scanning – a recommendation that was enacted into law by the U.S. Congress."

"Freeport Container Port's geo-political location, its highly trained workforce, high transshipment traffic and commitment to high safety standards make it an ideal partner for this live demonstration and installation," said Smith.

For additional information on Decision Sciences, visit www.decisionsciencescorp.com.

About Decision Sciences:

Decision Sciences is an advanced security and detection systems company based in Chantilly, Virginia, that brings together hardware and software development, systems integration and cutting edge science to improve the safety and security of global commerce. Based on technology originally invented by scientists at the renowned Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Multi-Mode Passive Detection System was then developed with considerable private sector investment and expertise.  MMPDS is a totally safe, effective and reliable automated scanning device for quickly detecting unshielded to heavily shielded nuclear and radiological threats. Critically, MMPDS satisfies the 100% scanning requirement recommended by the U.S. 9/11 Commission and later enacted into law by the U.S. Congress.

About Freeport Container Port:

Situated only 65 miles from Florida, Freeport Container Port (FCP) is the natural trans-shipment hub for the Eastern seaboard of the Americas and the principal East/West Line Haul routes through the region. FCP is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group. The HPH network of port operations comprises 315 berths in 52 ports, in 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Australia.  In 2012, the HPH port network handled a combined throughput of 75 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) worldwide and over the years, HPH has expanded internationally into other logistics and transportation-related industries such as cruise ship terminals, distribution centers, rail services, ship repair facilities, airports and hotel operations.

SOURCE Decision Sciences