Container Ship Unloads in the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach Harbor

SAN PEDRO - CA, JUNE 3: Two private motor boats move past the Evergreen cargo container pier as two freighters are unloaded near the Vincent Thomas Bridge June 3, 2004 in the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, California. The Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach handles 3 million containers annually and on average 18,000 containers daily. The bridge is a sensitive target and could put the port area out of commission if terrorists were to attack it, according to Homeland Security reports. Most of Asia's trade with the US is handled with container ships. Smuggling of contraband and narcotics were the security priorities before 9/11. With the Department of Homeland Security now controlling more of the overall anti-terrorism campaign, inspections for weapons of mass Destruction in ports have been stepped up. Inspectors are on the look out for dirty bombs, weapons smuggling or terrorist contraband. If a container is headed for a city inside the U.S., only in exceptional situations will it be inspected at the arrival port. The LA-LB port facility is the west coast's energy hub for natural gas imports plus oil and gasoline refining. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)