Security demands drive logistics costs up

Despite a global tightening of air cargo security, there are still serious shortcomings in airfreight transport chains, according to a joint study commissioned by the World Cargo Centre in Frankfurt, Germany for the International Transfer Centre for Logistics (ITCL) and the Technische Universität (TU) in Berlin. The study highlighted a need for modernisation of systems, particularly by smaller logistics service providers. “Despite newly drafted and tighter EU regulations which close the gaps in control, there are still considerable security shortcomings,” it added. “This is a failing which is not without its consequences, as these weak spots increase the security risk of worldwide transport, which can result in the disruption of logistical processes – with considerable economic losses.” While the study found that 56% of logistics service providers regarded the lack of security concepts as the biggest security problem, 61% of freight handlers particularly complained of the lack of security awareness of their own staff and the staff of their service providers. Technology and buildings also play a role. The study found that 24% of logistics service providers and 39% of freight handlers considered the surveillance technology in air freight centres to be inadequate. Moreover, 28% and 56% respectively, criticised the entrance controls to freight centres. It added that it was particularly small- and medium-sized logistics service providers that needed to bring their systems more up to date.