Politicians in the USA this week launched moves to toughen security checks on air cargo,including faster loading information and possible 100% freighter checks, in the wake of the Yemen
parcel-bomb plot. Cargo airline pilots welcomed the initiatives.At a special hearing of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on November 16,politicians called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA) to speed up the information flow about US-bound air cargo. US federalofficials were questioned about their ability to secure air cargo adequately in the aftermath ofthe shipment of explosive materials from Yemen aboard cargo and passenger airplanes bound for theUSA.
Senator Susan Collins said: “The potential to plant an explosive somewhere in the millions ofpieces of air cargo shipped around the world daily is a vulnerability. The Department of HomelandSecurity must use this near-miss to redouble its work with other countries, airline carriers, andshippers to tighten the security network. We must move quickly to shore up our defenses inthis area, without interfering with the legitimate flow of commerce.”
She urged the DHS to use the risk-based screening of maritime cargo as a road map for air cargoscreening. “Currently, maritime cargo manifest information must be submitted to DHS at least 24hours before a cargo container headed to the United States is loaded on a ship overseas,” she said.“Using this information and other intelligence, DHS targets high-risk cargo for inspection prior tothe ship’s departure to our country. In sharp contrast, air cargo manifest information is requiredto be submitted only four hours before that cargo arrives in the United States. That meansthe information is often transmitted to DHS while the aircraft is in the air – providing noopportunity to conduct further inspections of flagged cargo before departure.”
TSA Administrator John Pistole responded that the DHS was seeking to obtain air cargo manifestsearlier in the shipping process but he was unable to provide a specific date for when that changewould occur. Only about 60% of cargo on inbound passenger flights to the USA is screened atpresent, according to the TSA. Since August 100% of US-bound cargo on passenger planes has to bescreened.
US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin admitted to the committee: “Receivingair cargo manifest data 4 hours prior to arrival of the aircraft into the USA – while the plane isalready in the air and heading for our airports – does little to help prevent dangerous materialsfrom being loaded onto aircraft.” Earlier receipt of shipment information would create theopportunity for more checks on potentially risky goods before the flight took off.
The CBP has recently met air cargo industry leaders to speed up transmission of loading data forsecurity screening, he said. “The CBP has received overwhelming support from the trade community inthis regard, and we are increasingly confident that the Department can move to pilot differentadvanced air cargo strategies before the end of the year,” he said. “A robust, intelligence-basedtargeting system, built upon pre-departure advanced air cargo data, will result in a much enhancedair cargo strategy and greater security for our nation,” he commented.
Separately, Rep. Edward Markey, author of the 2007 law that requires 100% screening of cargo onpassenger planes, this week introduced the Air Cargo Security Act to expand the 100% screeningmandate to cargo-only planes. If passed, the Act would order the DHS to develop a system to screen100% of cargo transported on all-cargo aircraft within 3 years, with half of the cargo screenedwithin 18 months. The DHS would also have to establish a system for the regular inspection of aircargo shipping facilities and make new agreements with foreign governments to ensure regularinspections in their countries of facilities handling US-bound air cargo.
“Al Qaeda continues to put aviation at the top of its terrorist target list, and our nation mustclose the cargo loophole that continues to put lives and our economy at risk. While we now requirescreening of 100% of air cargo transported on passenger planes, the thwarted Yemen bombing plotdemonstrates that Al Qaeda is turning its attention to less protected all-cargo aircraft. Accordingly, we must respond through strengthened security measures,” Markey said.
His move was welcomed by Captain Bob Thrush, President of the Independent Pilots Association,which represents the 2,600 pilots of UPS Airlines. “As all-cargo airline pilots, we welcome Rep.Markey’s introduction of new legislation which will increase air cargo security screeningstandards. By acting now to shore up gaping holes in the screening process, we reduce thelikelihood of terrorist organisations being successful in their efforts to bring down an all-cargoaircraft over a major US city.”
Captain Paul Onorato, President of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA), whichrepresents more than 28,000 pilots, added: “Cargo aircraft pilots are exposed to terroristexplosives, and cargo aircraft can be a threat to personnel and materiel on the ground. We continueto advocate for one level of security for all commercial flights and we are concerned thatall-cargo aircraft could be targeted for terrorist attacks in the same manner as passengeraircraft. CAPA will continue to work closely with Congressman Markey to close the air cargoloophole in aviation security, and we welcome his legislation.”
The US Air Forwarders Association called on Congress to work with the TSA and the CBP toimplement a risk-based assessment program for securing inbound air cargo, based on internationalcooperation and a harmonised security programme covering both passenger and all-cargo aircraft.This included better intelligence, better screening technology and industry-wide cooperation. ButBrandon Fried, the association’s executive director, stressed: “We urge Congress to rejectadditional calls for 100% screening of inbound cargo. Instead, policymakers should enact arisk-based system for global air cargo security, as recommended by the supply chain and ourinternational partners.”
UPS stated this week that it has reviewed its security with US and internationalauthorities. The company said it ensured it met or exceeded current regulatory requirementsglobally with a multi-layered approach to security, and did not anticipate any difficulty inachieving compliance with the latest cargo screening requirements. UPS would continue to review allprocesses and systems to identify areas where security could be further enhanced. This applied notonly to UPS operations, facilities and transportation networks, but also to procedures defined forall service contractors and agents who support UPS logistics capabilities, it added.
Chairman and CEO Scott Davis said: “We participate in and lead various industry security workinggroups that are actively sharing best practices for threat response to ensure safe transport forglobal trade.” UPS stressed it adheres to the TSA’s Standard Security Program for the airlineindustry, participates in the TSA’s Certified Cargo Screening Program for forwarders regardingbellyhold cargo, and was an early participant in the voluntary Customs-Trade Partnership AgainstTerrorism programme, which provides a higher level of information exchange with authorities aboutair freight.
TNT already announced last week it has stepped up security with various additional measures,including more extensive screening of consignments, and has reinforced air and ground securitycontrols in all countries where it operates. This covers its own operations and also those of itsassociates, subcontractors, and partner airlines. TNT said its existing global security standardalready meets or exceeds local security standards but is nonetheless completing a risk assessmentto identify areas where security could be further enhanced. This includes the evaluation of allairports where TNT operates or plans to operate in the near future.
FedEx told customers in an online message that it was working closely with government securityagencies. “We, like other carriers, are working with the Transportation Security Administration aswell as other international security agencies around the world to identify areas where the use ofnew technologies and tactics can detect attempts to misuse our system as quickly as possible,” itstressed.
Similarly, DHL told customers that as one of the largest air cargo integrators and forwardersit has robust security policies and procedures in place which meet all international aviationsecurity requirements and regulations, and is working with all relevant aviation authorities,political representatives and industry bodies to ensure full compliance. “Our aim is to support andcollaborate on improving security aspects further and to ensure the safety of the general public,our customers and our employees,” it said.
