IATA Changing Cargo Security
 A
Transport Canada air cargo security awareness poster
“Cargo security is in
a state of relative infancy when compared with aircraft, passenger and
baggage security.
“Developing an integrated solution,
which involves all key supply chain stakeholder groups, is proportionate
to the threat, effective, harmonized and sustainable.
”Supply chain security is much talked
about but insufficiently understood.
“Acceptance of the key principle - that each supply chain member
must accept and deliver their proper component of cargo security responsibility-is
inadequately embraced.”
IATA is on the move as John M. Edwards,
newly named Head of Cargo Security Czar at the world group has formulated
a plan of attack that he hopes will gain support and forge change via
a Supply Chain Security Governance Group (SCSGG).
FlyingTypers
has obtained a draft of the IATA Cargo Security Strategy Paper authored
by Mr. Edwards that if enacted in whole or part, could change the manner
that air cargo security is conducted from the inside out, forever.
According to the draft, first meeting of
the proposed SCSGG is to be held in early 2007.
The purpose of this first encounter according
to the report is to “facilitate broader industry stakeholder understanding
and consensus of supply chain security issues and improved communication
between industry associations and regulators”.
IATA also proposes to “reach-out to
relevant industry associations including TIACA, IAHA (International Aviation
Handlers Association) and others while working to “develop a global
baseline supply chain security strategy and secure endorsement of it from
the SCSGG.”
Other points in the implementation stage
of the IATA plan would:
“Build upon output from AVSEC World
2006 Cargo Security Workshop to establish principles and priorities for
global base line harmonization and supply chain security ownership and
responsibility.
Last month in Australia IATA AVSEC held
a Cargo Security Workshop launching the process of developing the air
cargo security system of the future.
Sessions examined how to work in an e-freight
environment, how and what types of technologies should be involved and
what role cargo profiling will play.
Discussions widened to include exploring
ways to achieve a global framework that will result in mutual recognition
of security systems between countries.
Other initiatives under consideration by
IATA Cargo on the road to implement change include:
“Transition from developing solely
air carrier-based IATA positions to supply chain positions.
“Make IATA Cargo Security more accessible
to and representative of the air cargo supply chain.
“Develop a communications plan including
an improved IATA Internet cargo facility.
“By the end of Quarter 4 of 2006 calendar
year, a work plan will be developed to map and monitor delivery of this
strategy.”
Mr. Edwards, long a proponent of better
air cargo security joined IATA as the first head of cargo security July
1.
The IATA Security Draft continues.
“IATA Cargo Security will match its
ability to be a primary industry influencer with the growth in relevant
regulation.
“We will continue to impact the development
of emerging regulation and suitable, optimum cost, solutions.
“The attributes of cargo security
will be firmly established as a key element of the IATA Cargo value proposition.
“Supply chain members will share ownership
and responsibility for promoting harmonization of security regulation
and controls.
“We will have consensus amongst key
supply chain stakeholder groups for global harmonization priorities and
have baseline principles established.”
Taking a future view also brings a reality
check of the challenge to harmonizing air cargo security benchmarks with
individual national governments around the world.
“While almost 190 States have contracted
to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 17 Security,
Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts Of Unlawful Interference,
not enough have meaningful cargo security requirements within their national
aviation security programs.
“Of those who do, few are mutually
recognized/accepted by other States and few definitions or requirements
are universally consistent.
“Many appropriate authorities have
a limited understanding of the nature and complexity of the air cargo
industry.”
While serving as director of air cargo security
and quality assurance at British Airways earlier in 2006, John Edwards
set forth a blueprint in the publication- Aviation Security International
saying:
“Air cargo security is an emotive
issue.
“It is a vital component of homeland
security.
“Its objective is to protect society
as a whole rather than the industry itself and yet, this is where the
responsibility for compliance, and most of the cost, resides.
“Viewed by those outside the commercial
aviation industry, air cargo is perceived as potentially vulnerable, compared
for example to passengers and their baggage. “There has been, since
the heinous events of September 11th in particular, significant yet largely
uncoordinated growth in its regulation.
“Many industry stakeholders are familiar
with politically driven proposals to screen 100% of cargo prior to its
uplift on a commercial flight.
“However most experts agree that,
even if this is desirable (and many believe it is not) there is, for this,
no silver bullet.
“It is variously estimated that the
development and, importantly, approval of technology, which could effectively
and efficiently screen bulk air cargo, will take a minimum of three and
possibly five or more years from today.
“Despite all the changes we have experienced
since September 11th, much remains to be done by the air cargo industry
if it is adequately to influence global developments in security regulation.
“The industry is most powerful when
it speaks with one voice and consequently, in my judgment, the case for
a cohesive industry harmonization strategy is compelling and the need,
urgent.
“While this will be resource-intensive
and time-consuming, the resultant regulation is likely to be far more
palatable and less harmful than if the industry fails to engage properly,
and is simply and uncompromisingly, directed.”
In the draft Mr. Edwards notes:
“There are strong links between cargo
security and loss prevention and both are integral elements of the IATA
Cargo value proposition.
“Chapter 6 of the IATA Claims Handbook
is entitled Loss Prevention. “The Cargo Agents Handbook includes
recommendations for Asset Protection.
“The IATA Security Manual references
the security aspects of transporting high value goods and separately,
crime in aviation and IATA hosts an annual Cargo Claim & Loss Prevention
Conference.
“To enable IATA Cargo to achieve leadership
in this area, much of this material must be enhanced and, product development
is likely required."
edwardsj@iata.org
(Geoffrey)
|
