EADS Global Website - Securing shipping infrastructure

Dr. Wolfgang Busch, Project Manager Container Security, Strategy & Market Development, Astrium, explains the project ContainIT

As security issues have an increasing impact on international commerce, EADS Innovation Works and Astrium are helping define new ways of tracking and securing large shipping containers that form the backbone of international freight activities – which are now subject to increasing scrutiny due to terrorism threats and concerns about criminal activity.

A German government-sponsored research project is examining the creation of an information and communications technology (ICT) network that would ensure the tracking and security of containers throughout their shipment process. Initiated in August 2010, this two-year effort involves EADS Innovation Works and Astrium with a team of other industry partners and research institutions.

Named ContainIT, the project is working on a common ICT multi-layer architecture to identify and track containers, from their loading at the point of origin to unloading at the destination and return to the depot. Such coverage would include tracking and tracing of the container’s physical handling, the use of data fusion/data mining technologies through the flow of documentation and information, risk assessment/risk management as well as related information technology security issues. Furthermore, the expected step-up in required inspections – including potential U.S. regulations requiring all containers to be scanned prior to entering the country – raises significant challenges that could impact global trade.

“With the ContainIT project, innovation can play an important role in supporting global commerce by ensuring the secure, accountable shipment of containers around the world,” says Frank Neubauer, EADS Innovation Works researcher.