Sniffer dogs take on Ortia’s cargo screening challenges

This month sees the
implementation of a new system
that uses dogs to clear export
cargo more quickly and more
effectively than ever before
at OR Tambo International
Airport.
Launched by BIDAir and
its partners ICTS Europe, the
system is operated through its
JV company – ACTS – which
will be operational for all
Johannesburg cargo handlers
and agents from this month.
Safety and security remains
a key priority for the cargo
industry, says Eytan Nevo,
managing director of ACTS.
“And not just in South Africa,
but globally – and one way
of addressing it is by using
advanced canine techniques such
as RASCargO, an innovative
cargo screening system using
highly trained dogs.”
RASCargO, meaning Remote
Air Sampling for Canine
Olfaction, is the perfect solution
for cargo security clearance
and for fighting contraband
smuggling, says Nevo.
“It is already operational at
a few major European airports
including Charles de Gaulle in
Paris, Heathrow in London and
Schiphol in Amsterdam.”
The system uses dogs to
detect explosives and other
scents, but instead of the dog
going to the cargo, scent samples
are taken from sealed cargo
and taken to the highly trained
dogs. The RASCargO system
was developed and is being
delivered by DiagNose SAS,
an international K9 company
specialising in explosive
detection dogs in general and
specifically in cargo security.
“This programme has been
specially conceived for large
volumes of merchandise as it is fast and effective,” says Nevo.
“RASCargO is able to screen
up to 40 trucks per hour, and
using a matrix based on analyses
of two dogs it has very high
detection rates and very low
false alarms.”
It also provides better security
and operational efficiency at
very fast turnaround times with
no need to off-load and screen
each parcel individually.
While the training of the dogs
is very costly, the system is costeffective
once in place.
According to Nevo, in
comparison to an X-ray
machine, which can scan some
200 tons per hour at a 65%
detection rate and with 3% false
alarms, RASCargO outperforms
it. “This system checks 1000
tons per hour, has a 90%
detection rate and only 1% false
alarm. It is more cost-effective
and efficient on all counts.”