Iata’s Securefreight project takes risk-based approach

As plans by the US to screen 100% of air cargo moving into the country continue to make the headlines, the International Air Transport Association is making good progress in its risk-based ‘Securefreight’ initiatives. “The challenge,” says senior VP industry distribution and financial services, Aleksander Popovich, “is to avoid measures that would lead to having every piece of freight screened. That would bring the industry to its knees. “We have a programme called Securefreight which is a risk-based approach that involves secure operators who have to satisfy a checklist of quality standards.” The challenge is to get as many governments as possible to agree on standards that would give ‘secure’ operators fast-lane preference for inbound cargo. Collaboration, says Popovich, is key going forward. “It must be one speech given by many voices in the air cargo supply chain.” And he’s satisfied with the good work already done. “We have engaged with a number of government bodies – with Malaysia the first Securefreight pilot. We started dialogue with the government two or three years ago and as a result they have recognised the Securefreight checklist within their legislation. “Our goal is to build a Securefreight origin and destination network.” In the US the TSA has achieved its goal of 100% screening for outbound cargo and is now focusing on a similar formula for inbound. According to Popovich, Iata is in discussions on the recognition of a Securefreight standard. In terms of deadlines, he says that in contrast to e-freight it’s very difficult to set a goal for Securefreight because it’s about governments, “and it’s out of our hands.” Iata does however set annual goals. Last year it was to run Securefreight pilots in two countries and that was achieved in Malaysia and Kenya, he said.