Container scanning back on the agenda?

Rep. Janice Hahn, D-San Pedro, said that the Scan Containers Absolutely Now (SCAN) Act, announced to mark the 13th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, could help select ports receive federal funding for advanced inspection technology to scan 100% of incoming cargo for radiological, nuclear and other hazardous materials.

“Since Sept 11, 2001, our nation has taken great strides in ensuring our airports are secure, but living near the Port of Los Angeles, I know that our nation’s ports are not as secure as they should be,” Hahn said in a statement.

“Top security experts recommend that shipping containers entering our ports be scanned, but 13 years later we only scan 3% of incoming cargo. This is unacceptable.”

If the bill becomes law, two ports will be selected to receive inspection technology from the government.

The legislation would add to that already passed by Congress, which includes the SAFE Port Act of 2006 and the Implementing Regulations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

The latter mandates 100% scanning of incoming cargo at US ports, the introduction of which has been delayed since 2012.

Many have speculated that the delay in the use of container scan systems in the US, put down to gaps in the logistics chain in 2012, is actually down to the fear that the systems will have a negative impact on trade capacity and the flow of cargo.