TSA warns of cargo backlogs with 100pc screening on August 1

US homeland security and industry officials are warning that "most shippers have taken few steps to avoid potential supply chain disruptions resulting from screening backlogs at major airports," reports the American Shipper.

The warning comes ahead of the looming deadline for the US Transportation Security Administration's Certified Cargo Screening Programme that requires 100 per cent screening of all cargo originating in the US that is to be transported in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft starting August 1.

The report said that as of December 31, more than 120 shippers have been certified to screen their own cargo. A further 410 freight forwarders and 40 independent cargo screening facilities that meet TSA criteria have been approved to deconsolidate and inspect each carton by physical or technical means, according to agency figures.

"We don't think enough shippers have a plan for dealing with the August deadline because many believe their freight forwarders will simply take care of all the arrangements," TSA air cargo manager Douglas Brittin told industry stakeholders at a Washington meeting.

"If it's unscreened, it's not going to fly. It might fly two hours later, six hours later, a day later. It depends on when the next flight is going there," he said.

TSA officials have also raised concerns that "exporters at major gateway airports are at the most risk of experiencing delays because airlines do not have enough capacity to screen the huge amounts of bulk cargo bound for wide-body planes," the report said.

"This could be another Y2K. But my hunch is from 25 years in the business, it's going to be a real trifecta. So we're going to really need to have as many shippers as possible screening their freight to cut down on bottlenecks," said Brandon Fried, executive director of the Air Forwarders Association.

The report added that manufacturers, distributors and freight forwarders can mitigate the impact of the 100 per cent screening requirement by joining the TSA's Certified Cargo Screening Programme, which permits "trusted" shippers to check their own shipments, or those of their customers, using explosives detection equipment or physical searches, thus removing the need for airlines to recheck the cargo after tendering.
 

Source: SchedNet