Mandatory air cargo identification imminent

KEVIN MAYHEW THE WHEELS have been set in motion to create a legislative framework for mandatory identification of all goods placed on aircraft in South Africa. A document is almost ready to be presented to the Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe, before being promulgated into law. Head of operations, cargo security, for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Luvuyo Gqeke, told delegates at the Freight Logistics Conference in Midrand last week that the requirements would position South Africa to meet worldwide moves for full identification of all cargo that boards an aircraft. “Once the legislation is in place then the entire freight handling industry will have to be regulated to meet its demands which ultimately call for every item or container to be endorsed as not dangerous by a regulated agent who will deal with the carrier and take responsibility,” he explained. Regulated agents will include freight forwarders where they have accreditation that they comply with all regulations governing the inspection of cargo. They will need to provide security declarations and maintain audit trails of relevant shipping documents for all items or containers, he added. The post-September 11 tightening is aimed at securing aircraft from explosives, firearms or other dangerous cargo that can be used in the commission of an illegal act, including terrorism. He said that the introduction of the new requirements would come at a cost, but in a changing environment, the question was “whether one could survive without abiding by the requirements.” He could give no timeframes for its introduction but said that aligning with overseas needs was driving the process for finalisation as soon as possible. Meanwhile containers transported by road are now also subject to a new check with the introduction of a pilot project on the Gauteng/Durban corridor in June, according to chief director eastern corridors of the Department of Transport, Mawethu Vilana, who also addressed delegates.He said scanners – which are already used by South African Revenue Service – will be used to check the contents of containers to verify that they are not dangerous, illicit or overloaded. The scanners will be positioned at Durban container depots and at City Deep and the data from these checks will be used to “profile” and so make policing easier. “Profiling establishes certain obvious elements contained in the movement, packing or paperwork that indicate the likelihood of illegal intent. This profiling will constantly change as criminals or terrorists try to work round the existing suspicious profiles as they become aware of them,” he said. The pilot will lead to a roll-out of such facilities at every container depot on each corridor within two years, he said.