Welcome to the iPort?: Better Cargo Inspection Through Software
By Peter Kant, Executive Vice President, Rapiscan Systems
Modern seaports and cutting-edge smartphones may have something in common — high-performing software.
Just like in your smartphone, it’s software that compels greater performance and efficiency from the core hardware components of a port’s cargo inspection site. And in the port’s case, it’s not only physical equipment (like X-ray scanners) boosted by software—but the human operators as well.
And that’s decidedly good news for port officials struggling to choose between security and speed-of-commerce; innovative cargo inspection software may hold the key to both.
It Happens Like This
When a ship reaches the Port of Puerto Rico, cargo inspectors see real-time physical scans of its containers, while simultaneously reviewing aggregated digital intelligence about the shipment and its shipper—all presented on a single screen.
With the complete intelligence picture at their fingertips, operators can make faster, more accurate risk determinations. For instance, does a physical X-ray image match what’s listed on the shipper’s manifest? Has the shipper been investigated or fined previously for contraband? Answers to questions like these are what enable port operators to clear cargo more quickly and spot threats more precisely.
In fact, early adopters of this approach (port operators in Puerto Rico and Mexico, among others) have been able to measurably decrease the illegal transfer of contraband (including weapons, narcotics, and human beings) while at the same time dramatically increasing total cargo throughput at the port.
The End of Hunting and Gathering
Historically, cargo inspectors have had a difficult time gathering, sorting, and assessing the various pieces of background information needed to clear shipments in an efficient, accurate manner.
In the best of past situations, inspectors have used computers—darting between multiple screens and hunting through a tangle of digital files and file types (emails, PDFs, etc.) as they work to piece together enough data for either corroborating or refuting the information presented on physical X-ray scanners.
In the worst of past situations, inspectors have been attempting this same procedure using paper files—literally thumbing through enormous stacks of documents in a hurried search for answers.
In either case, merging X-ray images and their associated background data onto a single screen will significantly enhance both the speed and accuracy of the inspection process.
In fact, the most advanced software programs can do even more.
In a perfect world, not only will operators be able to view all of their relevant information on a single screen—they’ll be able to act on that information immediately (for example, by clearing a shipment or marking a shipment for further inspection) right from that same screen.
Customization Is Everything
It’s important to remember, however, that not all operators will want to view the same information or be presented with the same choices. If advanced inspection software means to function well in multiple settings (from maritime ports to land border crossings) for multiple applications, individual end users will need a considerable amount of customization authority.
For instance, in a port setting, operators can typically review manifest data and background information about a shipment in advance of its arrival. Hence, a critical task is often matching pre-screened data to the arriving shipment by viewing real-time images of each container’s identification number.
At a land border checkpoint, inspectors won’t have the luxury of previewing cargo. Instead, they’ll likely need to call up vehicle information on the fly. (Is the vehicle registered? Does the driver have a valid license? Does the driver have a criminal record? Has the vehicle been stopped and investigated previously?)
User interface preferences will also vary from operator to operator. Some users may prefer a simple binary option for either clearing or not clearing cargo. Others may want the ability to annotate their decision-making or to review past annotations. In some cases, a “red alert” option may be useful for immediately notifying central command.
One Piece of the Puzzle
To be clear, inspection software isn’t meant to replace human operators at the port.
Rather, when you free human operators from performing rote, mechanical tasks like hunting down digital files or cross-checking pieces of paper, they can spend more time assessing the situations that require complex human intelligence.
Better yet, software helps operators integrate their local imagery and event data with a broader picture of national security and intelligence—which helps port security officials (at every level) make smarter, more risk-based decisions.
Truly, maritime cargo screening is an evolving and collaborative pursuit. We know it takes well-trained operators, powerful imaging hardware, and strong processes. Today, advanced software has the potential to make those components even smarter, more efficient, and measurably more effective.
Who knows—with a few software tweaks, the iPort may be closer than we think.
Peter Kant is executive vice president with Rapiscan Systems, a global provider of security inspection solutions. He can be reached at [email protected] for comments and/or questions.