Officials say regardless of who owns the container terminal at Port Newark, security will not be jeopardized.

Port Newark is one of the six ports that would be taken over by the Arab company Dubai Ports World. Officials say Port Newark has what other ports involved in the proposed deal do not, an agency dedicated to screening the backgrounds of every worker who handles goods coming off the ships.

The executive director of the Waterfront Commission, Tom Demaria, says Dubai Ports would be subjected to the same scrutiny as every other company here. Demaria says any worker who does not pass the screening checks cannot be hired. He adds that Dubai Ports could not hire new employees without the commission?s approval.

The Waterfront Commission was started in the 1950?s to stop the mob from controlling jobs at the port. Since 9/11 officials say its focus has been on screening potential employees to enhance port security.

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