100 percent container scanning update

The DHS is in a difficult position as the law was passed in response to the US 9/11 Commission and there is a view with US Government that there is a high risk of terrorist action linked to the shipping of containers. With over 700 ports worldwide shipping to any of over 300 sea and river ports in the US the costs and potential for logistical gridlock are obvious.

There has been much talk of screening as opposed to scanning. Scanning is a physical intervention of every container. Screening is the use of intelligence and software profiling to identify high risk container for subsequent investigation.

The DHS seems to be stuck between the proverbial “rock and a hard place”. 100% percent scanning would cause a logjam yet the DHS must comply with the law. It will be interesting to see how the conundrum is resolved in the coming two years.