Supply Chain Security Study Guide
4. United States response
4.6. Secure Freight Initiative - 100% container scanning
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What it does Scans US-bound containers at participating foreign ports for nuclear and radiological material before loading. |
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When it applies Sea cargo at participating foreign ports. |
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Who is responsible CBP, in cooperation with the host country government. |
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Status Operational at limited ports; rebadged from SFI to International Container Security (ICS) in 2010 after funding cuts. |
In December 2006 the United States Department of Homeland Security commenced the initial phase of the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI), deploying nuclear detection technology at six foreign ports:
n Port Qasim in Pakistan
n Puerto Cortes in Honduras
n Southampton in the United Kingdom
n Port Salalah in Oman
n Port of Singapore
n Port Busan in Korea (Gamman Terminal)
Port Qasim, Puerto Cortes and Southampton commenced scanning all maritime containers destined for the United States for nuclear or other radiological materials in October 2007.
Under SFI, an integrated scanning system, consisting of radiation portal monitors (RPM) provided by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration and non-intrusive inspection (NII) imaging systems provided by CBP, is used to scan containers as they move through the pilot locations. Through optical character recognition (OCR) technology, data from these systems is integrated and provided to CBP officers, who can use it, alongside customary data sources, to determine whether the container should be referred to the host nation for secondary examination before being loaded onto a vessel destined for the United States.
In 2010, after funding cuts, CBP rebadged the overseas scanning initiative from SFI to International Container Security (ICS). The ICS program is operational and is currently scanning all United States-bound containers laden in the Port of Qasim, Pakistan; Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait; and, in a limited capacity, Salalah, Oman. CBP is negotiating with the Governments of Jordan and Egypt to begin scanning operations at the ports of Alexandria (Egypt) and Aqaba (Jordan). CBP is also negotiating with the Government of Pakistan to expand scanning operations to the port of Karachi. During 2010, the SFI pilots at the ports of Busan, Southampton and Puerto Cortes officially ended by mutual agreement between DHS and those Governments.