What lies ahead for International cargo? Tighter Security?

October 4th, 2001 - For port security, the US Coast guard is now enforing a wide variety of measures on all ships entering US Ports. These measures may include a through check of crew / passenger lists and identifications. As an example, the US Coast Guard has required ships arriving from foreign ports to provide a 24-hour advance notice of arrival.

In the weeks ahead, ships may have to provide a 96-hour advance notice to the USCG as well as a list of all persons abroad. This would apply yo all ships regardless of their country of registry, last port of call, or nationality of those on board.

Next, legislation-wise, in Washington DC, the Hollings-Graham Port Security bill is moving through Congress now. It proposes to communicate electronically all cargo information to US Customs in a more advanced timeline than today. This would mean new, tighter documentation deadlines would be implemented to ensure accuracy and availability of all cargo information.

If Passed...

• By law, ocean carriers would have to file manifests before sailing.
  
  
• Cargo most be properly documented by shippers and a complete set of shipping documents must be submitted to the ocean carrier prior to the delivery of the cargo at the terminal; or shipper submits a complete set of shipping documents within 48-hours after the cargo is delivered to the marine terminal.
  
  A complete set of shipping documents is defined as:
  A full, final and complete bill of lading master or equivalent shipping instruction describing the cargo and identifying the shipper and consignee. For shipments where a shippers export declaration is required, a copy of the export declaration, or where the shipper files such declaration electronically in the Automated Export System (AES)., the shippers AES number on the bill of lading master or shipping instructions.
  
  
• Loading of undocumented cargo will be prohibited by law.
  
  Any documented cargo which has remained in the terminal for more than 48-hours after being delivered to the terminal must be reported to US Customs and is subject to search, seizure and forfeiture and monetary penalties up to the value of the cargo or the actual cost of transportation, whichever is greater.

Lastly, we expect continued cargo inspections industry-wide from US Customs in the security process. These could result in slight delays to cargo movements.

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