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Malaysia International Shipping Corporation, a member of the elite World Shipping Council, has agreed to enroll in the US-backed Customs' Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) programme designed to improve security along the whole supply chain.
The World Shipping Council reports that more than 87 per cent of liner shipping capacity serving the US had signed up under the Phase 2 of the programme that was open recently to providers of transportation services.
"The industry is highly supportive of US Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner's C-TPAT initiative, and it will continue to co-operate with government programmes designed to improve the security of America's international trade," World Shipping Council president Christopher Koch said.
Although MISC's vessels do not call at US ports, the response by the Malaysian national carrier is seen as positive commitment by the shipping line to the global initiatives on maritime security.
Almost all world biggest shipping lines have pledged full backing for the latest moves by US Customs to tighten supply chain security.
The liner shipping industry will be giving widespread support to the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism that was opened up recently to ocean carriers.
Member lines of the World Shipping Council have confirmed their intention to join the new programme as part of the industry's effort to support the US government's anti-terrorism fight.
"The overwhelming majority of lines will be applying this very first week of the programme, and we expect others to apply soon thereafter. The liner shipping industry - from A to Z - will be supporting the Customs Service's efforts," said Christopher Koch, president and chief executive of the council.
The industry is highly supportive of Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner's C-TPAT initiative and it will continue to co-operate with government programmes designed to improve the security of America's international trade, Mr Koch said.
To date, just about 300 importers have also agreed to participate in the C-TPAT under Phase 1 and after this Phase 2 for transportation providers, the next round will be open to brokers, warehouse operators, and manufacturers.
Carriers which apply to join the programme have 30 days to provide an executive summary on security measures including vessel controls, manifest procedures, and personnel backgrounds.
Importers in the C-TPAT programme are already required to send a questionnaire to all supply chain vendors including sea carriers.
In additional to shipping lines air carriers worldwide will be invited to join importers in the US government's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
(C-TPAT).
The C-TPAT programme is operating in parallel with the US-led Container Security Initiative, where US customs is looking to station inspectors in foreign ports, including at Port Klang.
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