Cargo supply chain technology development and standardization initiatives

Abstract

The mitigation of threats posed by the potential introduction of improvised explosive devices into passenger aircraft via the cargo vector is the subject and driver of the Cargo Supply Chain Integrity Technology (CSIT) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation project undertaken jointly by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate. Recognizing the security capability gap represented by unscreened cargo loaded into/ carried in the holds of passenger aircraft, section 1602(a) of the “Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 ”, (Public Law 110-53) mandated TSA to establish, by August 3, 2010, a system to screen 100% of all cargo shipped via passenger aircraft. The CSIT project was initiated at the behest of TSA to develop standards and a process to evaluate and qualify technologies used to insure the security of cargo in transit to loading aboard aircraft. The CSIT project is a multi-year-multi-phased effort. The initial phase consisted of a number of market surveys of existing cargo seal products that are commercially available. A web-based compilation of these surveys was established, which included a listing of relevant technical performance standards. Eight major classes of systems/devices were derived from these surveys as follows that included Tamper Evident Tapes and Labels, Net and Banded-Sheet Pallet Based Systems, Mechanical and Electronic Lock Systems, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Seals and Other Technologies. The CSIT project is presently deriving the key operational parameters and standards needed to vet the security-related performance of these cargo seals in air cargo operations. This paper will focus on the Tamper Evident Tape for air cargo configured in break-bulk, bulk and pallet configuration. A key part of the CSIT project is the transfer cargo seal certification/qualification laboratory testing from the DHS /TSA to private testing laboratories. The CSIT project is currently evaluating test laboratory certifications, standards, and processes, and enables TSA to qualify air cargo seal products to be used by regulated air cargo industry to ensure supply chain integrity in the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). This initiative is vital to meeting TSA's Air Cargo Congressional Cargo Mandate, as legislated in the 9-11 act, and providing the basis for longer term advancement of the technology of cargo supply chain integrity.