Les Jones: House Passes 100% Cargo Container Screening Bill

August 09, 2007

News > House Passes 100% Cargo Container Screening Bill

I hadn't heard about this:

The U.S. House late last week approved a modified bill that requires eventual 100% screening of all cargo bound for the U.S. at the port of origin. The move follows similar legislation in the Senate, and after reconciliation in conference, will move on to President Bush for expected signature into law. While relaxing some of the proposed provisions slightly, the measure was passed over the strong objections of a number of business groups.

When Kerry used to complain that only a small percentage of cargo containers coming into the U.S. were inspected, my reaction was "What, you want them all inspected?" And apparently they will be.

This seems pointless. Lots of expense and hassle for virtually no increase in security, sort of like the average TSA policy. The containers will be checked at the port of origin, which means something could be added to the cargo once the ship has left port for the United States.

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Comments

Some containers are supposed to have sensors to detect when they are opened, and thus will "trip" if someone tampers with them. I have no idea how effective they actually are.

Posted by: Alcibiades at August 09, 2007

I am with the government on this one. It makes sense to check 100% at the point of origin, audit their methods, audit the methods of tamper prevention, and conduct operations as we see fit at our ports.

Posted by: Tony M at August 10, 2007

"The containers will be checked at the port of origin, which means something could be added to the cargo once the ship has left port for the United States."

So, terrorists are going to waylay a 1000-foot container ship mid-ocean, open a container (break the seal), put a weapon in that container, then seal it back up (which is impossible to not detect)? Then they are going to tell the command of the ship to be quiet as it slips into port? My chief's license (soon to be captain's license) exists by dint of the US Government and requires training to prevent such an event.

I guess you could hijack the ship, but my ship requires 4 years of training to get into port, then you would have to convince the pilot and harbormaster that you are legitimate command of the ship. Maybe in the movies, but in reality, it isn't going to happen.

Posted by: ChiefMate at August 11, 2007

Hopefully the cargo inspectors will be as crisply efficient as the elite TSA personnel screening our carry-on luggage at airports.

Posted by: Tam at August 11, 2007

I felt that this move was coming, but not this soon. I think some of the scanning technology is being developed by a company called nucsafe in Oak Ridge. They have a drive through scanner that a standard cargo container can fit through, it's actually sitting beside their building in OR.

Posted by: Will P at August 13, 2007