Container Security

Mr. John Gorkowski
Political/Economic Officer
US Consulate, Chennai

Let me thank the Centre for Security Analysis and General Raghavan for giving me this opportunity and to Adm Mohan Raman for facilitating the discussions.

My topic today is Container Security Initiative. Container Security Initiative is an activity initiated by US Customs and Border Protection Agency in response to the attacks of 9/11 in the year 2002. It aims to put teams of customs professionals in ports around the world to target containers that pose a risk of terrorism. Containerized shipping is extremely vulnerable. The global economy depends on it; nearly 90% of the world's trade moves by containers and in that 50% of US inputs measured in value enter US by containers. CSI proposes to intensify targeting and screening of containers at ports worldwide before they are loaded and sent to their final destinations. There are several factors involved in censoring containers and determining whether they are harmful or not. It provides the United States industry an additional outreach for cooperation, idea generation and data collection.

The four key elements of CSI are: -

· Establish security criteria for identifying containers that may pose a risk of terrorism, based on advance information.

· Pre-screen containers at the earliest possible point.

· Use technology to quickly pre-screen containers that may pose a risk for terrorism.

· Develop secure and "smart" containers.

They can be brought down to two points, screen containers and inspect those that you feel contain harmful materials. This is to, first, share information about target containers. The idea is not to search every container but only those that we fear may contain harmful material. The second is to improve screening technology. The preferred technologies are NII i.e. Non Intrusive inspection technologies, X ray machines that detect explosive traces etc.

The key benefits of CSI are: -

· Significantly increases ability to intercept containers that may pose a terrorist threat.

· Increases security of the global trading system.

· Facilitates smooth movement of legitimate trade.

· Protects port infrastructures.

· Enhances safety and security for all.

· Gives a competitive advantage to the trade.

· International reciprocity.

· Insurance, deterrence.

These benefits go beyond the borders of the United States. There are specific benefits for those nations who participate in the CSI. First, the systematic approach to screening and inspection of suspect containers make every port secure. It also makes the system of trade more secure and enables and naval intelligence to make progress after an incident to facilitate continued movement of goods and continued free trade. It can help protect the port infrastructure and the people who work at the port. It gives CSI participants an advantage over non-participants, the containers can move quickly as they will be screened in the participating country before they reach the US. It not only protects the US from dangerous and banned cargo but it protects the ports of participating countries as well and if a port is doing an effective job of screening material terrorists are less likely to use it as a conduit. The United States also has a program whereby customs officials from participating countries can perform the same functions at the US ports. Right now Japan and Canada have customs officials stationed in United States conducting this sort of activity on containers bound to their countries. They also have the opportunity to share training. Current CSI ports are operating in various places at Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The minimum standards for CSI participation are as under: -

· Seaport must have regular, direct, and substantial container traffic.

· Customs officials must be able to inspect cargo originating, transiting, exiting, or being transshipped through the port.

· Non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment (gamma or X-ray) and radiation detection equipment must be available for use at or near the potential CSI port.

· Establish an automated risk management system.

· Share critical data, intelligence, and risk management information.

· Conduct a thorough port assessment and commit to resolving port infrastructure vulnerabilities.

· Maintain integrity of programs, and identify and combat breaches in integrity.

The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency dispatches a team to participate in countries and this team works in conjunction with host country's customs officials, it essentially cooperates with the host country that has consented to participate, the American actors are ready to share their technology, their advice and their experience. Inspections are actually conducted by the host countries and observed by the CSI team. Low risk containers can pass through quickly and this will help facilitate trade. The CSI aims to achieve better information, which improves targeting decisions so that the determination of containers for conducting full search is quicker. The determinations will be made on the basis of the best information available. Therefore providing for better facilitation and enhanced security. Finally, I would like to stress that CSI is not an intrusion on sovereignty; it is really a matter of cooperation and collaboration.

Compiled by Tejal Chandan