Security Seals Making a case for tougher seal standards

The container shipping industry has been tasked with adhering to a set of obscure, nebulous physical standards for security sealing set forth in C-TPAT. At first the recommendation was to adhere to the framework of ISO 17712 in order to choose effective seals; however that document was rescinded as a requirement in August 2008

After careful evaluation, it seemed that the document was of no more use to shippers than a blank page, as it offered no specifics parameters for security, only physical characteristic of a variety of seals. With no focus, shippers selected the cheapest method of sealing thereby leaving cargo and containers even more vulnerable than before. With no defined standard for secure sealing, no governmental agency can possibly monitor these boxes for surreptitious openings.

The nebulous nature of a nationally required process security sealing standard is not limited to the sea freight industry. TSA has once again shown that they cannot come up with a product or process than meets their security needs yet expects industry to magically develop one. The airfreight industry is the current target for security packaging standards, yet this time the requirement (unlike C-TPAT) is a law. The compliance dates have come and gone since October 2008 and now again February 1st, 2009, for screening cargo on passenger jets, yet no defined packaging criteria has been accepted.

It is improbable that any final security packaging standard of care for air or sea cargo will ever emerge because of our interest to be fair and just across all product and vendor boundaries. At the expense of security, no one can see their way clear to focus the transportation industry on a suitable procedure that will help them help keep us safe!

Rigsecure, in concert with their industry partners CGM-AST and Navatech, have come up with a series of security seals that visually indicate penetration into sea containers, pallets, boxes and both A and D containers for aircraft. They also offer a series of physical barrier seals for use on sea containers that cannot be penetrated with simple bolt cutters. For years now Rigsecure has advised clients to stay clear of bolt seals to secure their loads because of the easy with which they are bypassed. Navatech has recently patented the Navaloop, which is the synergy of a bolt and cable seal in one unit. By offering both roles of door to door protection with a bolt seal appearance this innovative device is ideal for any sea box or swing door trailer.

Security is not a chance game in any modality. It is only through your supplier’s expertise and the use of task appropriate quality products that a shipper or carrier can insure the integrity of the cargo in his care and control. Don’t leave cargo security to chance; choose your vendor and their technology wisely.