Security Management: Containing Cargo Risk - Essay Example

Cargo Security Since 9/11, governments of many countries such as European Union, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia have either implemented or initiated cargo security measures in their own ways to ensure safe passage. The paper aims at exploring cargo security measures initiated by the concerned authorities in the US, the European Union, Canada, and New Zealand. The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program under the control of the US customs and Border Protection is the initiative that provide speedy customs clearance for cargo of a company if the company also agrees to participate in it.

The initiative was launched in 2004 for the companies who agree to follow minimum security procedures. As per this initiative, the companies need to allow audits to ensure that the security procedures are followed. The C-TPAT also enforces on importers that their vendors, suppliers and manufacturers are undertaking security audits on their businesses. The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is a Customs program initiated by the US government to inspect high-risk cargo at the foreign ports before shipping into the US.

This necessitates on foreign ports to use tamper-free containers and screen all high-risk containers. Currently, 37 foreign ports follow CSI procedure of cargo security that constitute 60 percent of all the cargo shipped into the US each year. European Union cargo security rules did exist since 2003; however, the security rules and procedures have been further augmented making it effective from April 2010. The European Union has initiated air cargo security that aims at establishing the security control of consignments and securing supply chain.

Accordingly, the cargo not handled by regulated authorities will be physically screened before its loading into aircraft. Various methods are used such as X-rays, physical checks, sniffer dogs or trace-detection. Every product must pass through customs where a multilayered risk management approach is applied that include an "Authorised Economic Operator" (AEO) program for traders. All members will have detailed monitoring system and regular checks on known consignors (European Commission, 2010).

The secure supply chain in the European Union is identified as known freight forwarders that fall in the category of regulated agents. They are obligated to meet strict standards of controls such as background checks on staff, training aspects and legal compliance. This is to facilitate faster clearance without additional security controls such as screening. By end 2013, all member states were supposed to implement the secure supply chain in their countries (European Commission, 2010).

In Canada, the Air Cargo Security (ACS) Program has begun initiatives for securing air cargo on international, domestic air-cargo flights with all changes to become effective in 2015. The air-cargo security initiative is aimed at developing a program that keeps goods moving within and out of Canada efficiently; strengthening Canadian air cargo security and making it at par with the security practices of the US along with other trading partners (Transport Canada, 2013). New Zealand Customs administration has partnered with industry to ensure that goods exported are packed securely and shipped such that any tempering with the cargo is not possible.

The scheme is voluntary and all participants need to ensure that adequate measures are in place to ensure security of the cargo to the highest standards (Buzdugan, 2012). References Anderson, T. (2013). Containing Cargo Risk. Security Management. Retrieved January 21, 2014 from http://www.securitymanagement.com/article/containing-cargo-risk?page=0%2C2 Buzdugan, M. (2012). Air Cargo Security: An Overview of Several Regulatory Initiatives around the World. Retrieved January 14, 2014 http://www.aviation.go.

th/rbm/Maria%20Buzdugan%20Air%20Cargo%20Security.pdf European Commission (2010). Air Cargo Security. europa.eu. Retrieved January 22, 2014 from http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-10-545_en.htm Transport Canada (2013). Air Cargo Security (ACS) Program. Retrieved January 14, 2014 from http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/aviationsecurity/asc-41.htm