Amsterdam Airport Schiphol invests to fight cargo theft

e-Registration needed for driver visits to dnata, KLM Cargo, Menzies Aviation, Swissport and Worldwide Flight Services’ forecourts at the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will be tightened further with the implementation of the chain information system Secure Import w.e.f 2024.

"Transport and logistics service providers are vulnerable to the undermining effect of criminal activity, especially air freight because it is mainly high-quality and expensive products that are transported by air. Logistics companies and their employees are experiencing increasing problems due to criminal activities in the transport of cargo to and from mainport Schiphol. Logistics employees must be able to do their job without threats or intimidation," says a release from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

The ground handler will use Secure Import to advise a forwarder that a shipment is ready for collection, the release added. "The forwarder can then, within the same system, direct a transporter to pick up the shipment. The Secure Import system checks that these are the correct parties for this particular shipment and informs the ground handler who will be collecting it and when this will happen."

A new feature in Secure Import is that sensitive shipment information will be shared only on a ‘need to know’ basis, preventing data manipulation by third parties, the release added.

"The new system has a built-in secure e-Visit key relating to the various process steps required for the transfer of a shipment. A driver will be given the cargo only once the e-Visit Key is ok."

Secure Import is being developed in the Smart Cargo Mainport Programme (SCMP) in consultation with its future users, the release said.

Joost van Doesburg, Head of Cargo, Schiphol Airport says: “The introduction of Secure Import is one of the projects within SCMP and contributes to the course we are taking with the cargo community: steering on quality and predictability. With this new system, we can now even better protect goods transported via Schiphol against theft and undermining, and remain an attractive main port favoured by shippers and forwarders to transport their high-quality cargo.”

Maarten van As, Managing Director, Air Cargo Netherlands adds: “In response to a number of incidents of theft at Schiphol, together with our partner SmartLOXS and security managers at Schiphol, we have developed a ten-step plan to counter theft in the air cargo chain. The ACN pass plays an important role in this. The development and implementation of Secure Import is the final step in the plan and will ensure that Schiphol Airport is a forerunner in the fight against cargo theft.”