‘Security 108 needs stricter policing’

There is still some controversy over whether the recently introduced air cargo security legislation, Part 108, is working as was hoped for – designed as it is to implement as near watertight security as possible. Alwyn Rautenbach, MD of Airlink Cargo, is brief and to-the-point. “Part 108 started off very smoothly,” he said, speaking from an airline point of view. “There was a slight initial problem with the documentation for ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ customers. But, since that has been sorted out, everything has gone well. “The industry has adapted to it without any complaint.” But there’s an opposite point of view expressed by Bob Garbett, MD of Professional Risk and Asset Management. It’s still not doing its job, he told FTW. First he pointed out that it is estimated that there are over 500 forwarding/courier agents (including branches) in South Africa. There are certainly many thousands of consignors using air cargo services (domestic, regional and international). “Why then,” Garbett asked, “are there only 150 forwarding/courier agents registered with the SA Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) and less than 50 consignors? The answer is that air cargo security is still not being taken seriously and is not being sufficiently enforced by the Sacaa.” The authority has stated on a number of occasions that it intends to police the air cargo industry more stringently. “But,” retorted Garbett, “so far, we do not see this happening.” He described it as “ironic” that the Part 108 system, designed to protect the carriers, is being bypassed by certain air carriers, and, he insisted, the integrated process ignored. “These carriers, sometimes represented by their handling agents, are not actively and energetically discouraging the tendering of unknown cargo,” he added. “It is the air carriers who should be promoting the integrated process which is the lifeblood of Part 108. “The opposite is, unfortunately, often true. ‘Send us your cargo’ they say – ‘let us make it known on your behalf’. Certain handling agents and forwarding organisations, have adopted the same approach. “This is both reckless and shortsighted, the consequences of which could be tragic.” With the conditions laid down in liability insurance policies, Garbett noted, if there was an incident, the results could well be catastrophic for an air carrier or forwarding organisation.