October 17, 2008

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is changing course on a federal law that requires all ocean containers bound for the U.S. to undergo scanning prior to foreign lading.

“The requirement to have 100 percent scanning of containers overseas is not a realistic requirement,” Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff said in a recent interview. “I think at some point as that deadline approaches, Congress is going to wind up taking a second look at what is realistic.”

Despite the potential conflict with the law and Congress, the DHS is putting Chertoff’s ideas into action, according to Shipping Digest.

In August, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it would be canceling a test of 100 percent scanning at the Port of Singapore that was scheduled to begin in the second half of 2008. The port, which handled more than 27 million TEUs last year, was one of just six ports scheduled to participate in Phase 1 of the Secure Freight Initiative, the Department of Homeland Security’s feasibility test of 100 percent scanning.

“Instead, CBP and the Government of Singapore will work together to explore alternative approaches toward enhancing container and trade security through risk management and a total supply chain security approach,” U.S. Customs said in a statement.

Based on the results of earlier Secure Freight Initiative data, the agency said it would be taking a new approach to scanning “high-risk trade corridors.”