The air cargo industry is composed of a vast network of distribution that connects manufacturers and various logistics experts before, on-air, and after cargo reaches destination. Notably, only a small part of cargo shipment happens by air while other parts of cargo shipment are completed by different modes, including trains and trucks. Another critical thing to note is that cargo shipped by air are majorly high-value goods and time-sensitive commodities. Examples include expensive manufacturing equipment and machine parts as well as perishable farm products whose expiry is highly imminent from the time of their harvest from farms. Various people, including robbers and terrorists, target the air cargo industry to steal and to cause mass destruction, respectively, like the case of 9/11. Therefore, there is a great need to set up adequate cargo security before and after air transport.
Cargo screening is essential and recommended for cargo transported by air either in a cargo or passenger aircraft. The responsibility of screening lies with all parties involved starting from manufacturers down to shippers who transport the cargo to airlines as well those who carry baggage to its final destination. Screening is recommended to be done at off-airport locations to ensure that the shipment is secure before it is loaded into an aircraft. The United States, through its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), requires that airlines conduct 100 percent screening of all cargo transported by passenger aircraft. Since this one is unachievable, they recommend that cargo be screened before freight from the manufacturer. When cargo reaches its destination, freight forwarders are once again tasked with the responsibility to protect the cargo from terrorists and hijackers who may still see an opportunity to use the same cargo to inflict mass destruction either through physical attack or biological attack. The government also recommends the Indirect Air Carrier Standard Security Program (IACSSP) to be implemented by domestic freight forwarders.
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References
George, B., & Whatford, N. (2007). Regulation of transport security post 9/11. Security Journal , 20 (3), 158-170.
