SecurityReview Rapiscan sees positive trends


Andrew Goldsmith, head of global marketing at US- based security screening provider Rapiscan Systems, says that air cargo screen- ing is “a very important and fast-growing part of our business”. With thousands of Rapis-


can systems currently in operation with many of the top air freight companies, he pointed out: “From a reg- ulatory standpoint, many of our systems have US, EU, UK and Chinese certification or approval. This, along with our expertise and experience, makes us unique and strong in air cargo.” One of the challenges for Rapiscan is to design systems that


Goldsmith: “strong in air cargo”


meet security requirements without interfering with the flow of commerce. It is currently focusing on tighter integration of its security systems with the materials handling and informa- tion processing aspects of the supply chain, for example by combining x-ray screening with documents like the air waybill; this will also facilitate compliance audits, Goldsmith observed. He remarked on the encouraging trend for a greater degree


of co-ordination on air cargo security between different coun- tries and on improvements in screening technology. It is now possible to screen denser cargo, analyse the material compo- sition of shipments and handle a higher throughput, he said. “The perception a few years ago was that air cargo screen-


ing would be disruptive and costly – but people should take a second look, as we’ve come a long way with customer input.”


TAPA launches new standard


The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is taking its efforts to defeat cargo crime into the handling arena with the launch of its new TAPA Air Cargo Security Standards (TACSS). TAPA’s security standards for logistics warehouse operations


and trucking have successfully reduced incidents of cargo crime in the supply chain – but statistics confirm there is certainly no room for complacency. Figures reported to TAPA’s Incident Information Service for May 2012 show 18 incidents in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region alone, with an average loss value in excess of 150,000 euros (US$183,000). Paul Linders, TAPA EMEA board member responsible for


TACSS, explained: “By providing comprehensive requirements and a certification scheme for the protection of air cargo whilst on the ground, TAPA hopes to provide members and industry part- ners with viable options for the most effective air cargo security


programme.” nAviapartner is the first TAPA EMEA member to have gained TACSS certification at its Brussels site, where it handles some 200,000 tonnes of air cargo a year.


One-stop screening now at Heathrow


In June, Airworld Security opened a one-stop cargo screen- ing centre at Hatton Cross, near London’s Heathrow airport. According to Phil Ray, man-


aging director at the company: “We are able to provide all types of authorised cargo screening. “This is the first time that all


these methods have been pro- vided on one site in the UK,” he went on. “Regulated agents and transit shed operators send us unknown or unsecured cargo, and we do our best to clear it to fly. We take on the security issues so that the logistics people can get on with what they’re good at.” Airworld Security has several contracts with large agents and


also operates as a “drop-in shop”, Ray confirmed. Since opening, the centre has been particularly busy screening shipments overnight ahead of flights the following day. Its REST (Remote Explosive Scent Tracing using dogs) team is busy during the day


too; as well as operating at the Hatton Cross facility, the REST service can also be offered offsite to regulated agents who already undertake their own primary screening using other methods. Ray noted: “We hope to see


an upturn in our business after the 2012 Olympics, when things like foreign broadcasters’ equipment will have to be screened before flying out of the UK.”


As to the need for harmonisation of security regimes, Ray is


confident that the UK is a world leader in cargo security, with standards above those demanded by the EU. “From a UK point of view, we can satisfy the various require-


ments,” he commented, but added: “Agreements for mutual recognition of national security regimes do speed up services.”


BRIEFS • BRIEFS • BRIEFS


FIRST CLASS Zollservice und Transportvermittlungs, a German company that provides cargo management and transportation services, now offers a mobile air cargo screening service for explo- sives trace detection on a fee-per-piece basis.


GLOBAL SUPPLY chain management company Ceva Logistics’ multi-user warehouse near Charles de Gaulle International airport in Paris has achieved the highest Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) accreditation, security certification A.


16 July 2012 Page 9


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