Logwin moves to sort out confusion over EU air cargo security rules

INTERNATIONAL logistics provider Logwin is giving advice and support to its customers who are baffled by a new European Union cargo screening regulations that come into effect next year to ensure increased security.

The rules are causing uncertainty among air cargo shippers and companies that are now faced with the decision as to whether they should obtain certification from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA - German Federal Aviation Office) as a "known consignor" or whether they should have their shipments X-rayed and risk long waiting times at airport terminals. Many consignors are finding it a difficult decision because they know too little about the changes, according to Mumbai-based LogisticsWeek.

Logwin has already held three events dealing with the changes for its customers. Gunther Pfirrmann, head of Quality and Security Management Air + Ocean at Logwin and an expert on the new EU regulation said: "It is only possible to clarify whether certification is necessary for a company on a case-by-case basis." For this reason Logwin is also offering its customers individual consulting in addition to information events.

There are three key criteria associated with the decision for or against obtaining certification as a "known consignor," namely, cost, time and consignment type. It is likely that most companies faced with the decision are guided by the cost factors such as training employees, fees, inspections and official certification costs. They will analyse what expenses are involved in certification and what costs are incurred by the alternative: x-ray scanning for each air freight consignment.

Some consignors have other priorities. "Certification can be worthwhile when a company only very rarely sends air freight, but this freight has to reach its destination very quickly," said Mr Pfirrmann. Other companies do not have a choice in the matter.

According to a recent study, almost half of current known consignors intend to apply for LBA registration. Logwin would also like to offer fast and secure air cargo processing for those customers who decide against certification. The logistics service provider has acquired an X-ray scanner, initially for its Stuttgart, Germany facility where airport operators, forwarding agents can also scan air cargo consignments and declare them "secure".

Logwin is currently examining whether to equip other locations with X-ray equipment. "The volume of 'unsafe' cargo is already increasing," said Mr Pfirrmann. "This trend will clearly continue from April 2013."