The issue of the 100 per cent screening is still very uncertain and given the 50 per cent implementation date began from February, it would appear the focus is not so much on security at the moment but rather more focused to dealing with the economic downturn and issues arising out of the recent inauguration of President Obama. Once President Obama has settled in it is likely that we will hear more about screening and its implementation.
Wide ranging reports have highlighted the ongoing security debate at US Government level between the US Congress, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It is believed that what Congress wants will not be actually achieved and the Aviation Security Act may be amended to reflect screening only on internal and exportwithin US, where they have control.
Concerns are being raised by groups in Europe (such as SAGAS – Stakeholders Advisory Group on Aviation Security) about the implementation of the US “911 Bill”. The EU expected to have received a more clear view in mid-January on what the 50 per cent screening means and how to calculate this 50 per cent etc., but little information has emerged.
There is no agreement between US and EU, despite media reports to the contrary, but both parties are discussing mutual recognition of each other’s programs (i.e. US: C-TPAT / EU: AEO Programme).
Regional airlines and associations have commented there is little coming out of the US on this subject except that the TSA is endeavouring to reach bilateral agreements with overseas countries to voluntarily enforce the screening, as it would appear the legislation is lacking the ability to enforce screening by overseas states for US inbound cargo.
There is also an expectation the TSA might apply pressure on carriers to require it of their ground handlers, but in today’s world of economic crisis, one must wonder if in fact this is something carriers would wish for as it might well place restrictions on their airline for carrying the diminishing amount of cargo.
On a different, but related subject, it is interesting to note that a lot of attention is being given to trailing the use of dogs in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection. A working group has been established in the EU for implementation of canine standards and procedures to be integrated in the new 300/2008 legislation and implementation rules.
The legislation is planned to be implemented by latest April 2010 (but probably earlier, by end of 2009). By using canines this opens the opportunity to screen much more cargo in an acceptable time frame and at a reasonable costs, for instance, screening of 35 pallets withoutbreak-down in 90 minutes.
Training video for ULD build-up
According to IATA, single piece cargo which exceeds 150 kg is defined as Heavy Cargo (HEA) and will require special handling to avoid loading difficulty and damage to aircraft. For the sake of safe and efficient loading of cargo, CLG (Carrier Liaison Group) and HAFFA have jointly developed guidelines for ULD (unit load device) build-up in the form of video for the industry.
The training video content includes build-up of general and heavy cargo, ULD serviceability check, general principles of ULD preparation, heavy cargo handling and walk around check, which describe the minimum standard of ULD build up. Individual airlines may communicate their additional requirements direct to their appointed agents if necessary.
After several rounds of fine-tuning, the video is available from the website http://www.clg.org.hk/usrapps/public/ svrscript/Download.asp.
HAFFA strongly encourages its members to download the video and share with their staff or contracted service providers for the preparation ofthe ULD build up.
Dangerous Goods trainingrequirement
The Hong Kong SAR Government Gazette Notice for commencing Regulation 7B of CAP. 384A Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations has been published on 28 November 2008. The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) appointed 1 July 2009 as the day of operation for this Regulation. For compliance, Freight Forwarders in Hong Kong shall ensure their Category 4 and 5 staff have completed DGA (Dangerous Goods Awareness) training programmes approved by the CAD before end of June2009.
The Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations comprises 17 organisations: Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics, Japan Aircargo Forwarders Association, Korea International Freight Forwarders Association, Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines Inc, Taiwan Airfreight Forwarders Association, Singapore Aircargo Agents Association, Thailand Airfreight Forwarders Association, Indonesian Forwarders Association, Macau Air Freight Forwarding (Logistics) Association, Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders, Australian Federation of International Forwarders, Air Cargo Agents Association of India, Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association, Brunei Freight Forwarders Association, Association of Air Cargo Agents of Bangladesh and Nepal Freight Forwarders Association, Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand.