Hutchinson bill pushes “smart” boxes, advance data collection
Hutchinson bill pushes “smart” boxes, advance data collection
Half of all ocean containers entering the United States after 2006 would have to include sensors to verify sealing by authorized personnel and detect in-transit tampering, and transmitters to relay that information to customs officers, if a new intermodal security bill in the Senate becomes law.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, last month, calls for at least 50 percent of containers, beginning in 2007, to be equipped with tracking and monitoring technology that can notify authorities that the container has been breached by terrorists or criminals.
The bill instructs the Department of Homeland Security to certify specific “smart box” technology to be used and promote the development of an international standard for “smart” containers.
DHS has several ongoing research and development projects designed to define performance requirements for sensors and identify products that can enhance security. DHS officials have said it will take at least three to five years until such a device is reliable enough for mass marketing. The legislation could give impetus to a simpler smart box concept being promoted by Customs and Border Protection for quick deployment, but also remove the incentive of expedited clearance for adopting the technology by making it mandatory.
The bill is another sign that Congress is becoming impatient with DHS’s pace for implementing cargo security regulations.
Hutchinson’s bill also calls for DHS to report on how requiring advance submission of purchase orders, shipper’s letter of instruction, commercial invoices, letters of credit, certificates or origin and other transaction information can enhance CBP’s container inspection targeting system. CBP is already exploring how to collect this type of data, which would supplement the limited shipping data required through advance electronic filing of the carrier manifest.
The bill also requires DHS to:
* Reduce the time available for importers to revise the manifest after arrival at a U.S. port from 60 days to 45 days.
* Develop a system to share threat and vulnerability information with industry and allow for companies to report on security lapses in their supply chains.
* “Substantially” increase the number of CBP officers stationed in foreign ports under the Container Security Initiative for inspecting cargo bound for the United States. The specific number of personnel would by determined by a risk assessment and requirements at each port.
* Develop a plan for random inspection of shipping containers to supplement and act as a control for the automated selection of high-risk containers for inspection.
* Develop a comprehensive plan to integrate security programs for intermodal shipping across all modes of domestic and international transportation.
* Develop a system to increase the number of containers that are inspected, either manually or by X-ray screening machines.
* Study the feasibility of a cargo container tracking and monitoring system for all modes of transport within the United States.
Congress would also convene a panel of experts every two years to report on progress towards coordinating intermodal security across all agencies and branches of government.
