Container Scanning to enhance port security

 

The shipping industry world over  is striving to increase security for cargo containers without slowing the cargo traffic through the port . Prior 2001 Sept, the supply chain security concentration was mainly on theft, piracy and drug smuggling. But in recent times, the threat from terrorism is in supreme priority. The potential threat of terrorists using containers as a way to smuggle a nuclear  or radiological device inside a marine cargo container poses a large risk to the country .

 

In view of above , at the time of declaring cabotage relaxation for ICTT , Vallarpadam( Cochin) ,  the Defence Ministry of India confirmed that no relaxation on the security measures would be permitted and insisted  that all import containers passing through the terminal should be scanned.  Also , the recent seizure of  red sandal wood  from a container at ICTT re-enforce the demand of Customs authorities for 100% screening of containers passing through the terminal. This  was the second incident of sandal wood  , export of which is banned from India, being tried to smuggled out of the country using this terminal.

 

The challenges faced in achieving the goal of 100% screening of all inbound containers seem almost endless. However to confront this challenge, many technology applications are being pursued and deployed in many sea ports world over. The technologies used  presently to detect dangerous  / contraband cargo are not perfect or foolproof. But they are steadily improving in accuracy and reliability. Non-intrusive (gamma and x-ray) technology provide the image of the contents of containers without opening them.

Technologies  to Support Closed Container Inspections

 Radiation Detection Pagers – These are small gamma – ray radiation detectors that alert the proximity of radioactive materials. They can be installed at the terminal gate, quay and on all container handling equipments.

Radiation portal monitors (RPMs), consisting of large-area gamma-ray detectors  and neutron detectors allow the  detection of nuclear or other radioactive materials  in cargo containers or trucks entering or leaving a port. The high detection sensitivity of RPMs allows 100% scanning of cargo with minimal impact on throughput. However, false positive alarms resulting from cargo which is naturally radioactive (e.g., certain ceramic tiles , porcelain toilet bowls etc) can slow-down the cargo flow.

 

Container scanners

Container Scanning means the non-invasive inspection of contents inside a container . Physical inspection of all containers entering a port is not feasible and hence modern scanning equipments are used world over for fast and efficient inspection of  containers passing through a port.  Scanning equipments indeed  have enhanced security by enabling the detection of weapons at ports of entry, thereby preventing their transport onto the mainland . Commonly used scanning technologies are
 

X-ray Inspection system - This technology is the most common form of non-invasive inspection technology in use today.  X-rays detect difference in material densities inorder to produce an image of the vehicle or contents inside a container.  The X-ray image thus produced is analyzed using the sophisticated software to detect the contraband (illegal traffic). However , if the cargo and contraband are of similar densities, detection is very difficult. Also , image of contraband could be hidden in the shadow of very dense cargo. Multiple x-ray beams could to a certain extent erase the shadow effect.

 

The process of scanning starts when the vehicle driver gate in the truck at the scanning station with the cargo manifest, which would be the base for checking discrepancies. The vehicle is then taken through the scanning area and the image is captured and analyzed. If anomaly noticed, container will be directed for through checking orelse the container will proceed the onward journey. The whole process is expected to take about 10 – 15 minutes per container.  

 

Gamma-ray Inspection system – gamma ray imaging technology provides clear radiographic images (much like x-ray images) of containers, showing the outlines and density of the contents. The principle of operation  is similar to that of a  x-ray scan system, except the usage of  gamma-rays. The system directly use gamma rays or pulsed fast neutrons to generate gamma rays to produce image of the container and the contents.

                                 Gamma-ray image of a truck taken with Mobile VACIS system

There are fixed, semi-fixed and  mobile gamma ray systems are available . Mobile system , which is designed around a standard vehicular platform that can be easily serviced and repaired, is well suited to the port environment. The Mobile unit  can be driven to an inspection point within a port, and set up and operational in less than 10 minutes.   It can operate in both the scanning mode in which the truck/container is stationary or in the stationary mode where the truck or container is driven past the Mobile gamma-ray beam.

Gamma-ray image of a truck with 2 stowaways in a container

Gamma ray system is said to be more fast and economic compared to the X-ray system.
 

Technology alone is not enough

Usage of modern technology is merely one part of the strategy for homeland security system. It indeed has benefited security officers and customs inspectors for detecting contrabands in the cargo traffic. However , for an efficient   total security system of the supply chain ,  other factor  such as  the cooperation between the Customs and defence / security / CISF wings and programs like CTPAT (Customs- Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) that encourages shippers and carriers to implement security measures to promote greater security at all points is also necessary .