AUGUST 2--The private Port of Sokhna, owned by Egyptian Container Handling Company and operated by Sokhna Port, has ordered x-ray inspection systems from American Science and Engineering Inc. (AS&E; Billerica, MA; www.as-e.com). The Port of Sokhna is a new commercial port and industrial complex on the strategically vital Red Sea, located a short distance from Cairo. The order includes AS&E's new high-energy Shaped Energy system for sea-container inspection, as well as two parcel x-ray systems for small cargo moving through the port. This order comes on the heels of a major drug seizure generated by an AS&E MobileSearch system deployed at the Port of Nueibaa, Egypt.
AS&E patented Shaped Energy technology--capable of penetrating 25 cm (10 in.) of solid steel--shapes the high-energy x-ray spectrum to reduce radiation that is unnecessary for achieving penetration. In so doing, the technology provides a high-energy, penetrating x-ray without the attendant problems of hazardous radiation. In addition, these systems employ Z Backscatter detection for dual-sided imaging--a technology that maximizes organic and inorganic contraband detection by producing photo-like images, allowing rapid analysis of containers.
