Anderson Shipping Responds to New Cargo Security Rules and Encourages Freight Forwarders to Adapt

In a recent development, Anderson Shipping has taken note of and is relaying critical information from the Airforwarders Association (AfA) to all associated freight forwarders. The AfA, led by Executive Director Brandon Fried, has recommended that shippers need to prepare for stricter cargo security regulations, which are slated to take effect in October.

The new measures necessitate that cargo, which can't be screened due to its size or volume, should be registered under one of the Transport Security Administration (TSA)'s approved cargo security programs. Post October 31, shippers will be presented with three alternatives: enrol in a TSA program, transition to seafreight, or suspend cargo shipping. As reported by Fried during the CNS Partnership Conference in Miami, there will be no extensions to these mandates.

From our perspective at Anderson Shipping, we see the urgent need for freight forwarders to work closely with their shipper clients and back their efforts to liaise with TSA and join an approved program. We support the collaborative push for better security measures for air cargo transportation, acknowledging the increased focus on cargo scanning security in recent years.

In compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, the TSA has been enforcing the screening of all cargo before loading on freighter aircraft since June 1, 2021. The ICAO has made it compulsory for all United Nations member states to comply with these security measures.

We've also noted the valuable input from John Beckius, the Executive Director of the TSA's air cargo division, on the panel with Fried. Beckius emphasizes the TSA's commitment to facilitate shippers, assemblers, and manufacturers to apply security measures during the packaging process, potentially reducing additional screening later in the supply chain. As Anderson Shipping, we strongly encourage such streamlined measures that could save valuable time and resources in the cargo shipping process.

In line with this, the AfA has scheduled an in-person meeting on June 27 in Chicago, in collaboration with the International Air Cargo Association of Chicago and the Chicago Brokers and Forwarders Association. Additional events are planned in New York and Los Angeles, to further explain the new security programs.

As a key player in the industry, Anderson Shipping is committed to staying abreast of these changes and ensuring that all our partners are well-informed and prepared to adapt to these new regulations, thereby ensuring the continued smooth flow of cargo shipping.

Air Cargo News. (2023, June 10). US shippers warned of stricter security rules for larger air cargo loads. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from https://www.aircargonews.net/freight-forwarder/us-shippers-warned-of-stricter-security-rules-for-larger-air-cargo-loads/?