Most containerised cargo passes through numerous port and other facilities, and may be shipped in a number of vessels. The new security requirement might easily become a costly affair, causing serious slowdown of world trade if more inspections are required. We have to find a cost-effective way to do it.

The ISPS code requires port facilities and vessels to take measures to prevent transport of weapons or other devices able to be used in terrorist attacks. Ensuring integrity and security of cargo in international transport is a task for law-enforcement authorities like customs. But these organisations do not have the capacity to increase inspections extensively.

In order not to slow down trade or unduly increase costs they have no other option than to authorise traders who can prove that they have a secure transportation system in place. These traders must have proved to deserve their trust and confidence, allowing themselves to continue focusing on suspect cargo.

To facilitate such delegation DNV and Maritime Underwater Security Consultants (MUSC) have launched a project to develop the required cargo security standard, encompassing the few existing local standards in this field. The objective of the project is to develop a certification scheme delegating cargo security to the company packing the containers. This project is a cooperation between the main players in the transportation chain such as shipowners, shippers, cargo owners, insurers and the international customs organisations. The project partners will be instrumental in testing the effectiveness and efficiency of the cargo security standard and certification scheme.

Date: 2002-12-15