THE U.S. CUSTOMS CONTAINER SECURITY INITIATIVE (CSI):

The Container Security Initiative, or CSI, was officially kicked-off in January of 2002.  The CSI program represents an aggressive attempt by U.S. Customs to greatly improve detection of sea-bound weapons of mass destruction.  CSI involves the posting of Customs officials at foreign ports around the Western Hemisphere and the world in order to allow for the screening of high-risk U.S. bound cargo containers before they even leave their foreign ports of origin. 

So-called “mega ports” handle a great proportion of the world's trade and are the foreign embarkation points for the vast majority of goods shipped to the United States and the world.  Customs initial objective was to implement the CSI program at the world's 20 largest mega ports.  However, due to the high level of interest in the program, Customs officials are now preparing an extended list of CSI-targeted ports.  This new list will add an extra 21 ports in addition to the current 20.  The CSI program's stated goal is "to facilitate detection of potential security concerns at their earliest possible opportunity." In order to achieve this goal, the program consists of four core elements:

 1-     Using automated information to identify and target high-risk containers;

2-     Pre-screening those containers identified as high-risk before they arrive at U.S. ports;

3-     Using detection technology to quickly pre-screen high-risk containers; and

4-     Using smarter, tamper proof containers.

            The CSI program would help to increase security to the U.S. port but also, the transportation may take more time to pass all of the security check process according to new policy. However, safety is priority concerned and the goods in the vessel considered timing. I strongly recommend to continue this policy even transportation have to be delay.