Amusa searches for cargo tracking device

THE ASSOCIATION of Marine Underwriters of South Africa (Amusa) is searching for a tracking device that can be included as part of the cargo. But efforts in this direction have proved fruitless to date. “We’ve had numerous local and international sources meet with us, but all have gone away never to be heard from again,” says chairman Dave Keeling. “So many believe they can provide the answer, but no one has arrived to date with a suitable answer or a suggested item to meet our needs.” Amusa wants a device that will be able to track cartons that have been illegally removed from transport vehicles. You can track the vehicle through existing methods, says Keeling, but not the goods themselves. “Everything we have tried so far has proved to be a spectacular failure. Then there are the problems that existing technology cannot operate when the device is underground or in areas where there is no cellphone service in action. And there is the problem of overcoming the short life that batteries hold during transportation periods. “ High value cargo movements are often monitored by the appointment of an independent risk manager/surveyor who is charged with ensuring that all parties in the transport chain perform their tasks as they should, he says. “Despite the fact that very few recoveries are made, it is imperative that losses are reported immediately to give tracing agents any chance of recovering stolen cargoes. All thefts should be reported to the relevant police authorities and case numbers obtained. Not only will such reporting ensure that the correct authorities are involved in the tracking of the cargo, but the dramatic increase in case numbers will indicate to the authorities the gravity of the situation and more resources should then be made available to combat the problem.”