Orlando, Fla.-based LimitLess Int'l Inc., a provider of international air and sea freight services, will open its offices to the first Air Cargo Security Summit. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Cargo Security Alliance (CSA) and the Global Trade and Commerce Association Inc. (GTCA) will be co-hosting this event on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2009.
Presenting the forum is TSA’s effort to educate air shippers and others in the transportation industry on the importance and ramifications of a congressional law requiring the screening of all air cargo placed on passenger jets by Aug. 1, 2010. Non-compliance could result in delays in cargo movement. This possibility adds considerable importance to TSA’s educational efforts.
TSA, CSA and GTCA plan to invite more than 2,000 organizations, some of which could become a part of the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), a voluntary program designed to enable certain vetted, validated, and certified facilities to screen cargo prior to delivering the cargo to the air carrier. The program details the requirements of manufacturers and general industry to perform these screening functions in house, thereby expediting their shipments and reducing their costs of compliance.
According to the TSA Web site, facilities that successfully complete the TSA certification process, which includes an on-site assessment of the facility, will be designated as a Certified Cargo Screening Facility. CCSFs must adhere to TSA-mandated security standards, which include the employment of secure chain-of-custody methods to establish and maintain the security of screened cargo throughout the supply chain. TSA will only certify those facilities that demonstrate adherence to these requirements through the TSA certification process.
In addition to TSA personnel, transportation experts and educators from the Cargo Security Alliance and representatives of U.S.-based and foreign airlines will be there to conduct some of the educational programs. Cheryl Stockstad, president and CEO of LimitLess Int'l Inc., upon offering her offices and screening equipment for this event said, “We recognize that it is a Congressional mandate to screen 100 percent of cargo transported on passenger aircraft by August 2010. TSA began the CCSP to assist in meeting this directive and at LimitLess we’re willing to do our part to make this a reality. We are pleased to assist the TSA in any way we can.”
Agenda-specific information can be reviewed on the CSA Web site, www.securecargo.org, or by e-mailing questions to Walt Beadling, representing the CSA at wbeadling@securecargo.org.
