The terror attack of Sept. 11, 2001 has resulted in heightened security and increased caution with regard to container cargo. This look at the major changes affecting container cargo is provided by APL Logistics, which designs and operates global supply chains that deliver products wherever needed.

            The sheer volume of container traffic worldwide precludes comprehensive container inspections, which, to be effective would need to be done at the place where the cargo was loaded into the container. That means instead that the advance information collected about the contents, routing, status and the people handling that container must be accurate, up to the minute and available immediately, with an enforced goal of zero tolerance.

            This detailed information must be collected, beginning at loading and throughout the end-to-end move. An exception process must be in place to identify, isolate and examine suspect shipments quickly, minimizing the impact to the flow of normal supply chain operations. And at each step in the supply chain, facilities will have to be secured with respect to perimeters, procedures and personnel. Some of these measures require international cooperation, others are the logical function of national governments, and many are best handled by the private sector, requiring close cooperation of manufacturers, shippers, suppliers and their transportation and logistics partners. Efforts to date include ...

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