With 100 Percent Screening Deadline Met, Air Cargo Industry Eyes New Hurdles

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Air cargo shippers and forwarders say the industry still has a long way to go in screening shipments after meeting a government mandate to screen 100 percent of all cargo on U.S. passenger aircraft by Aug. 1, according to a report in The Journal of Commerce.

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Industry shipping executives say they fear the growing demand during the fall shipping season will press the limits of screening capabilities in coming months, including the ability to keep up this brisk screening pace integral to the time-sensitive nature of most air shipments.

"It's going to get much worse in the next few months," said Tom Lewandowski, manager of logistic operations for Geodis Global Solutions. "We may not even recognize a security delay versus a capacity delay."

In this week's Cover Story, The Journal of Commerce analyzes the elements that made meeting the Aug. 1 screening deadline achievable and examines the challenges still remaining for supply chain security.

On Aug. 1, air shippers and freight forwarders successfully moved to 100 percent screening of freight on U.S. passenger aircraft. Despite recent apprehension over potential delays, the transition went off smoothly and the air cargo industry has already moved onto the next hurdle.

Many pre-implementation concerns, such as the handling of high-value or sensitive items, were alleviated with the TSA's very successful Certified Cargo Screening Program, which has so far authorized 1,041 companies to screen their own cargo.

Although the TSA estimates 60 percent of inbound international cargo already is being scanned, an integrated, equivalent international screening network is the next step in supply chain security, with a target date of 2013.

To view daily news visit www.joc.com. For all media enquires, including article reprints, please contact Editorial Director Paul Page.

Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10% discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered.  

About UBM Global Trade - UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-223-0243 (+1-973-848-7250 outside the U.S. or Canada).

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce

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