NEC, Birmingham - 23 April 2008: Security is still the highest priority for transatlantic freight corridor, and at the first day of the Multimodal 2008 Event at the NEC Birmingham, shippers and service providers on both sides of the Atlantic called on Governments to assess security initiatives from a cost benefit point of view.
"A multi-layered approach to security is needed. No single approach will provide the necessary protection for terrorism", said Peter Gatti, Director of Policy at the National Industrial Transportation League (the US Shippers organisation). Referring to the new Democrat controlled Congress's ‘9/11 Commission Recommendations Act 2007' he warned that "100% scanning of in-bound containers will not necessarily mean that 100% security is achieved". The drive for maximum security should not cripple the service that it is seeking to protect.
"The 100% scanning rule is not based on risk assessment or intelligence. It is a simplistic blanket effort", agreed James Hookham, MD Policy and Communications, of the UK's Freight Transport Association. He also stated that communication between the UK's Government agencies was inadequate: "This is clearly a case where joined-up government is urgently required".
Summing up, Filip Beckers, Head of International Freight, Mars Inc. Belgium, stated: "Everyone in the transport industry is strongly against terrorism and other disruptions to the supply chain, but we need a cost-benefit approach to legislated measures on both sides of the Atlantic."
He pointed out that the costs of complying with various measures are starting to mount. The new so-called "10 plus 2" legislation due to come into effect for sea freight in 2012 and for air freight in 2010, requires detailed data on all shipments bound for the US to be lodged 24 hours prior to their loading at the foreign port, and will be particularly costly.
"Shippers value reliability above all other qualities in a transport service; yet they are battling with severe port and infrastructure congestion, and now delays due to security measures. We need to find a way of finding the balance between reasonable risk prevention and acceptable cost to our industry."The AGM also saw two new members elected to the Executive Council: Andy Musty, Sales Director of E-Z-Rect Ltd and Simon Olley, Managing Director of Stylographics Ltd. Nick Flack, Export Sales Director of Clip International and Tony Moscrop, Managing Director of Dufaylite Developments Ltd, were re-elected onto Council.
This year's Annual General Meeting was followed by an inspiring presentation from the Marketing Guild and lunch at Bluebird Restaurant, Chelsea and was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended.
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- 18 - 21 January, 2009
CHIC - UK
