The GAO issued a report on federal efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist attack on vessels carrying oil and liquified natural gas (or to use the report’s term – energy commodity tankers).

This lengthy report identifies shortcomings in prevention and response plans, entrusted largely to the U.S. Coast Guard.  The GAO recommended that the federal government: 1) develop a resource allocation plan to balance security with the Coast Guard’s (and other agencies) other missions; 2) develop national guidance for dealing with economic consequences of port closures; and 3) develop plans and exercise an integrated approach to pollution and terrorism response.