Freight forwarders urge TSA to create security standards
A recent DHS inspector general report highlighted weaknesses in TSA’s inspection of air cargo, and mad six recommendation for improvement; professional forwarders agree, but also say that the inspection process should be made more transparent and that inspectors should communicate with forwarders more openly
TSA had performed more than 7,000 cargo inspections last year, but the inspections also helped uncover numerous holes in the agency’s inspection systems. While recent headlines focus on the lack of international ocean container scanning standards, a similar crisis is taking place in the air cargo arena.
As we wrote the other day, DHS inspector general (IG) issued a report earlier this week saying that TSA could enhance ground-handling procedures significantly. TSA analysts added that given that more than 10 million pounds of cargo is loaded into the bellies of passenger aircraft daily, the issue is becoming more urgent. “Without regular vigilance, practice, and enforcement of access controls, TSA and the regulated entities provide opportunities for individuals to introduce explosives, incendiaries, and other destructive items into air cargo, potentially creating risks for the traveling public,” the DHS IG report stated.
The IG report offered six recommendations for TSA to improve cargo security before it is loaded onto passenger aircraft, but Patrick Burnson writes that shippers are asking for more transparency throughout the supply chain. He writes quotes Brandon Fried, executive director of the Air Forwarders Association (AFA), to say that “[While] the findings in the DHS Inspector General report are [of concern] to our members, these issues are the very one ones that forwarders have raised in the past…. I am hopeful that this report and its recommendations will enhance security throughout the chain of custody for cargo transportation.”
At the same time, the AFA added that its members have cited the lack of information and clarity from inspectors during site visits. “Many of the issues raised in the report stem from insufficient communication and I am pleased TSA has acknowledged and has steps in place to address this,” said Fried.
The AFA noted that there are multiple layers of security in place to prevent questionable cargo from being loaded on passenger planes. The transition to 100 percent screening is ongoing and chain of custody security is improving daily. “We are confident that shippers, forwarders, air carriers and agents will continue to improve upon their existing practices and procedures to ensure all cargo is screened thoroughly,” Fried said.
