Industry to boost air freight security
December 1st 2010 Department for Transport officials are talking to the transport industry as part of an air freight security review announced by Home Secretary Theresa May in the House of Commons. May told the Commons that all aspects of air freight security will be reviewed in the light of the recent airline bomb plots.
Among the security measures immediately implemented were the suspension of unaccompanied air freight to the UK from Yemen and Somalia. Also the carriage of toner cartridges larger than 500g by air cargo into, via or from the UK unless they originate from a known consignor a regular shipper with security arrangements approved by the Department for Transport - is prohibited.
Speaking on November 1, May added: "Department for Transport officials are already in technical discussions with the industry, and my Right Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will chair a high-level industry meeting later this week to discuss next steps. These initiatives are in addition to those which we have set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review."
The air freight industry is critical to the UK economy. Goods moved by air freight account for less than one per cent of UK international trade by weight but 25 per cent by value. However, air freight is a complex security issue, made more so by the fact that 60% of freight moved travels in passenger, not cargo-only, aircraft.
Industry organisations have called for a measured approach in response to the crisis and for the Government to avoid draconian security measures that could damage industry.
The International Air Transport Association acknowledged there were security weaknesses that needed to be addressed.
"There is no government certified technology to screen standard size pallets and large items. There is some promising technology but it is taking far too long to move from the laboratory to the airport," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.
IATA also recommended greater use of its e-freight program which simplifies the storage and presentation of freight documents and should give governments faster and more accurate insight into who is shipping what and where.
Leaving aside technology, supply chain approach is also under the spotlight.
British International Freight Association director general Peter Quantrill added: "Success in securing the supply chain relies less on new methods and technology than it does on greater cooperation and information sharing among supply chain parties and between the public and private sectors." More articles from Handling & Storage Solutions: | 
