A new national security directive calls for a plan to use existing capabilities to integrate global maritime security intelligence on potential threats to U.S. interests at sea.

The National Security Presidential Directive 41/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 13 was signed by President Bush late last month, according to a Port Security News report released Jan. 18.

Headed by Defense and Homeland Security department officials, a new senior steering group for maritime domain awareness will coordinate national efforts to develop enhanced capabilities to "identify threats in the maritime domain as distant from our shores as possible."