Hong Kong to screen for US - Sea Freight And Containers - container terminal security - Brief Article

Business Asia, May, 2003

Hong Kong has joined a US-led effort to improve security in container terminals and prevent the international movements of weapons used by terrorists.

The city's Government signed a customs agreement with the US last September as part of the Container Security Initiative, resulting in the stationing of a small number of US customs officials in Hong Kong this month to prescreen and detect containers that pose a security threat.

Hong Kong is the world's busiest container port.

Henry Tang, Hong Kong's secretary for commerce, industry and technology, says the smooth flow of containers from Hong Kong to the US is vitally important given the significant trade ties between the two.

The need for an organised initiative came about as a result of concerns raised by the September 11 terrorist attack on the US, that containers on ships may be used to smuggle weapons.

US Customs wants to screen containers at the world's 20 busiest ports outside the country, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore, from where almost half of US-bound containers depart.

The US wanted Hong Kong's cooperation because the city handles the biggest share of US-bound cargo.

Almost 10 per cent of containers destined for the world's biggest market either originate in Hong Kong or transfer through its port.

About 6000 containers leave Hong Kong for the US each day.