Ports challenged to meet 2012 box scan deadline

Antonis Kastrissianakis, director of international affairs and tariff matters at the European Commission, expressed the concerns of the EC.

We consider that it has not been based on any proper assessment of its impact. It will create a false sense of security at high cost, he said.

We fundamentally object to what is happening with 100 percent scanning and we do not contemplate it happening in Europe.

We consider that 100 percent scanning from a European perspective will raise sovereignty issues and also require Europe to invest massively in a measure which is designed to protect the U.S. At the same time it will divert resources in Europe away from measures designed to strengthen security in the EU as well as the security of international trade.

We also find it difficult to imagine a situation when the 100 percent scanning requirement will be applied in one direction only. One-hundred percent scanning would also imply systematic transfer of sensitive information which would only take place in the context of a new international agreement between the U.S. and the EU.

Our priority is to strengthen the SAFE Framework of standards and will be looking very constructively at the proposal to go ahead and see how the 10+2 rule might be introduced.

Kastrissianakis added the U.S. law would have serious repercussions on maritime transport and also divert trade.

You can see what will happen if only some ports apply 100 percent scanning that will certainly increase congestion and reorder transport routes in Europe.

We consider 100 percent scanning as a new trade barrier and we have to be very careful when we go in that direction, if ever.

Danet also expressed fears that European ports will fall behind those in Asia.

The rest of the world is investing. Ports in Europe don't know whether to take the plunge or not. There will be some winners and losers. Carluer said the scanning law would require a fundamental shift in trading relationships.

American's have shown that they don't trust their trading partners by sending out their own officials to foreign ports under CSI. They will need to start trusting them again with 100 percent scanning just as happens when you arrive in a U.S. airport from abroad.