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UK Forwarders 'Not Surprised' by US Climbdown on 100% Container Scanning |
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Thursday, 17 December 2009 |
 Mr O’Connell said: “As BIFA has said repeatedly, the DHS has consistently underestimated the enormity of the task in hand relative to the costs both to the US Government and those of foreign governments,
as well as, importantly, the limited ability of contemporary screening
technology to penetrate dense cargo, or large quantities of cargo in
shipping containers.
“Couple this to the fact, that by the DHS’ own calculations, some 86
percent of cargo shipped to the USA originates from only 58 of more
than 700 global ports, and there is clearly a compelling argument to
scale down their unrealistic aspirations.”
BIFA’s comments are in response to the recent news that US Homeland
Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said her department would be unable
to meet a congressionally-mandated 2012 deadline for scanning all
US-bound ship cargo for potential WMD ingredients.
As a result of insufficient technology and the high expense associated
with scanning the 10 million cargo containers that enter the country
annually, DHS requested an extension of the congressionally imposed
deadline.
Adds Mr O’Connell: "We have always said that expanding screening with
available technology would slow the flow of commerce and drive up costs
to consumers without bringing significant security benefits. These
thoughts were echoed in the testimony made by Janet Napolitano to the
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
“Rather than pushing back the deadline for 100 percent screening, as
requested by DHS, the US Government ought to undertake a pragmatic
review of the whole initiative and create a revised programme on a risk
assessed, commercially practical and technologically feasible basis.”
Source: British International Freight Association
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