Industry tunes into benefits of dog-detector screening system

The implementation of a new system using dogs to clear cargo quickly and more effectively than ever before has attracted growing industry interest. Contracts have been signed and more are in the pipeline as clients visit the new facilities of ACTS in Kempton Park where the four highly trained dogs are strutting their stuff. ACTS is the JV company operating the system in South Africa on behalf of BIDVest and its partners ICTS Europe, RASCargO – Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction – is an innovative cargo screening system using highly trained dogs. It started operating in December last year and is seen as the perfect solution for cargo security clearance, fighting contraband smuggling and spotting explosives. It uses dogs to detect explosives and other scents, but instead of the dog going to the cargo, scent samples are taken from sealed cargo to the dogs. “We are bringing clients to the premises weekly to experience first hand the capability of these dogs,” says Eytan Nevo, managing director of ACTS. “Safety and security remains a key priority for the cargo industry and this system is fast, cost-efficient and reliable.” With a turn-around time of less than a half-hour on any size container, there is no restriction on where cargo can be inspected. There’s no need for the dogs to be transported to the cargo or for the containers to be broken up or the seals broken. Nevo says the dogs, which were trained in Holland and France, have adapted to South African conditions extremely well. “We are extremely pleased with the progress we have made and are hoping to expand this programme to Customs and other areas at the OR Tambo International Airport, as well as other airports.” Nevo says with the ability to screen up to 40 trucks per hour, and using a matrix based on analyses of two dogs, the detection rates are extremely high. “The process is faster and definitely more efficient than that of itemising, handsearching, X-rays and even using conventional dogs. We believe we are making history and can ensure cargo is safe and s