The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the Secure Freight programme has gained further recognition from governments around the world.
It has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on expanding the Secure Freight pilot scheme, which began in 2010, with the Malaysia Civil Aviation Authority.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the Department for Transport (DfT) has also agreed to endorse the Secure Freight principles, which paves the way for further recognition of IATA’s efforts to build supply chain security capacity across the world.
The first authority to officially endorse Secure Freight principles was the Australian Office of Transport Security (AU OTS), last summer.
With Malaysia, Kenya, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chile agreeing to be co-signing authorities on IATA’s Information Paper on Secure Freight, which will be presented later this month, the Association is hailing a major step forward in building shared global standards for cargo supply chain security programmes.
The Secure Freight programme works across the whole air cargo supply chain, helping to secure shipments upstream by ensuring that cargo has come from either a known consignor or regulated agent.
Secure Freight evaluates the strength of a nation’s aviation security infrastructure and works with the civil aviation authorities to ensure that cargo is kept sterile until it is loaded.
Not only does this ensure greater security, IATA explained, it also helps prevent bottlenecks at airports.
The MOU was signed on the opening morning of the World Cargo Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nearly 1000 cargo professionals gathered to agree new solutions to deliver enhanced safety, security, quality and efficiency to the air freight sector.
