AIRPORTS AND CARGO SHIPMENTS SECURITY

Airports and Cargo Shipments Security

Airports and Cargo Shipments Security

Introduction

The air cargo system consists of a large, complex distribution network linking manufacturers and shippers to freight forwarders to airport sorting and cargo handling facilities where shipments are loaded and unloaded from aircraft. Business and consumer demand for fast, efficient shipment of goods has fueled the rapid growth of the air cargo industry over the past 25 years.

Since September 11, 2001, a variety of air cargo security measures has been put in place or is under consideration. The purpose of these security measures is to mitigate:

(1) the risks associated with placing cargo on passenger and all-cargo aircraft; and

(2) the high level of access to aircraft during cargo operations.

This report will examine the key security risks associated with air cargo operations and options for mitigating these risks.

1. Airport and Cargo Shipments Security Threats and Protection

Air Cargo Security Risks

Explosives and Incendiary Devices

Undetected explosive or incendiary devices placed in air cargo are potential threats to aircraft. Experts have warned that air cargo may be a potential target for terrorists because screening and inspection of air cargo is currently not as extensive as required screening of passengers and checked baggage. Cargo carried aboard passenger aircraft may be at particular risk since passenger aircraft are generally regarded as highly attractive targets to terrorists and have been attacked in the past. It has been reported that TSA considers the likelihood of a terrorist bombing of a passenger airplane to be between 35% and 65% based on 2002 intelligence reports, and TSA believes that cargo is either likely to become, or already is, the primary aviation target for terrorists in the short term.

Hazardous Materials

Despite increased Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) oversight and enforcement efforts, undeclared and undetected shipments of hazardous materials continues to pose a significant safety problem for air carriers. Most explosives and gases are prohibited aboard aircraft, however many properly handled hazardous materials are permitted aboard passenger and all-cargo aircraft within specified quantity limitations.

Cargo Crime

Cargo crimes include theft of goods transported as cargo, and shipment and smuggling of contraband, counterfeit, and pirated goods through the cargo distribution network. It is estimated that direct losses due to cargo theft across all transportation modes total between $10 and $25 billion annually in the United States.19 The large range in this estimate reflects the fact that cargo theft has not been a specific crime category and therefore reliable statistics on cargo theft are unavailable. A provision in the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act (P.L. 109-177), however, required the Department of Justice to establish a separate category for cargo theft in the Uniform Crime Reporting System. The act also refines relevant statutes and increases criminal penalties for cargo theft and stowaways.

Aircraft Hijacking and Sabotage

Individuals with access to aircraft may pose a risk of potential hijackings and aircraft sabotage. Instances of hijackings by individuals with access to aircraft have been extremely rare, but include two examples of particularly violent incidents by disgruntled individuals who ...