Canada Aims To Allow Shippers To Self-Screen Air Cargo

Transport Canada is proposing to allow shippers to screen their cargo before it reaches an airport, rather than solely relying on carriers to do so, in order to bridge security gaps and prevent terrorist attacks.

The Canadian government said relying on carriers to screen all cargo for explosive devices would be “slow and impractical,” resulting in bottlenecks, slowdowns and additional costs. This new initiative would bring up the standard of air cargo screening and save C$202 million in the next decade, according to Transport Canada.

The government agency said the proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations 2012 outline a voluntary program that allows shippers to become “known consignors.” To qualify, a shipper must be a registered Canadian business; successfully pass a Transport Canada security assessment; provide Transport Canada with a cargo security plan that outlines their facility, personnel and cargo security procedures; and successfully pass an on-site compliance assessment.

Transport Canada said the initiative was prompted by threats like the October 2010 incidence in which explosive devices were found in air cargo headed to the U.S. from Yemen. Those threat spurred the U.S. to create Air Cargo Advanced Screening Initiative, which is much like the one Ottawa is seeking.

About half of all air cargo in Canada is carried on passenger flights, totaling more than 400 million kilograms annually, The Canadian Press reported.