Non-Subscriber Extract
Cargo comes to the fore
- Article Tools
Cargo comes to the fore
In the immediate aftermath of 11 September 2001, state and civil aviation authorities concentrated their efforts on improving the screening of hold baggage in order to detect threats such as explosives. Now the focus is shifting towards improved screening of both carry-on baggage and belly hold cargo.
For some time cargo screening has been routinely undertaken by Customs & Excise authorities, although not necessarily to pick up on explosives but rather to identify contraband such as drugs and undeclared goods. As yet there is no global standard for screening air cargo; what screening exists is governed by regulations specific to the region involved.
The most rigorous checks are made on cargo despatched to the US, where consignments have to comply with both the rules and regulations set out in the Known Shipper programme and the screening requirements detailed by the US Department of Homeland Security's Container Security Initiative. In effect, airlines rely on trusted or bonded freight forwarding companies and agents, as an assurance that cargo does not contain explosives or contraband. Only cargo received from unknown shippers is routinely inspected.
The types of screening in use also vary between operators. In the case of overnight express shippers, for example, some break bulk cargo is screened by low-energy automated equipment, to detect for explosives.
The scanning of large cargo consignments such as those conveyed by unit load devices (ULDs) or intermodal containers also takes place, although no equipment is yet available that will automatically screen for explosives. Many industry experts believe that it will be at least five years before reliable, fully automated equipment is widely available to perform this function. Current equipment is only able to scan contents and identify the presence of unknown objects and contraband, as well as other areas of concern, and remains reliant on well-trained operatives for effective front-line use.
305 of 1,846 words