CSI is founded on four core elements: 1) using intelligence and automated information to identify and target containers that pose a potential terrorism risk; (2) pre-screening containers as high-risk at the port of departure, before they arrive at U.S. ports; (3) using detection technology to quickly pre-screen containers that pose a risk; and (4) using "smarter", tamper-evident containers.

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

A super-container cargo ship awaits its heavy load at a U.S. port of entry to be off-loaded for inspection

John Lenihan, Director, Container Security Division (CSD), Office of International Affairs, puts it this way, "Our goal, the mission of the Container Security Initiative is simple: to prevent and deter terrorist use of maritime containers while facilitating the movement of legitimate trade." Containerized shipping is a critical component of global trade because most international trade moves or is transported in cargo containers. About 90 percent of the world's cargo moves by container. Almost half of incoming trade (by value) arrives in the United States by sea containers. Nearly 7 million cargo containers arrive and are offloaded at U.S. seaports each year.

Protecting our ports. Screening information on virtually 100% of oceangoing containerized cargo. Examining every container believed to pose a potential threat. Conducting security-related examinations overseas. This is our layered defense philosophy that pushes our zone of security beyond our physical border.

Current status
Announced in January 2002, CSI was first implemented in the ports shipping the greatest volume of containers to the United States. CBP has entered into bilateral discussions with foreign governments where these top ports are located.

Seventeen CSI ports are currently operational. Nineteen of the 20 original ports have committed to joining CSI and are at various stages of implementation. Additional ports will become operational in the near future. These ports are points of passage for approximately two-thirds of containers shipped to the United States.

This revolution in border management has unquestionably been for the better. Today, our borders are exponentially "smarter" than they were on September 11. They are more secure, and they are more efficient. And, perhaps the greatest change that has occurred over the last two years is a change in thinking. Security and trade facilitation are no longer conceived as mutually exclusive objectives. Rather, they can be seen as mutually reinforcing goals. ---CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner

While the first 20 largest ports were the starting point, CSI is not limiting participation to those locations alone. Sweden, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa have signed on to CSI. Sweden and South Africa are already operational. Discussions are currently being held with additional expansion ports in South and Central America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The Port of Singapore is one of the top 20 ports and was the first Asian port to join CSI.

CSI will be expanding to additional ports that ship large amounts of cargo to the United States. These ports must have the infrastructure and technology in place to participate in the program. "This will enable us to extend port security protection to more than 80 percent of all containers coming to the United States - casting the CSI safety net even further," said Commissioner Bonner.

International organizations like the World Customs Organization and the G8 have supported CSI expansion by adopting resolutions that support the implementation of the security measures introduced by CSI at ports throughout the world.

KEY/MILESTONES:
Eighteen countries have committed to participation in CSI. There are 38 ports within those 18 countries that are in various stages of CSI implementation.

Operational Ports (17) Rotterdam, The Netherlands -- 09/02/02 Le Havre, France -- 12/02/02 Bremerhaven, Germany -- 02/02/03 Hamburg, Germany -- 02/09/03 Antwerp, Belgium -- 02/23/003 Singapore -- 03/10/03 Yokohama, Japan -- 03/24/03 Hong Kong -- 05/05/03 Gothenberg, Sweden -- 05/23/03 Felixstowe, United Kingdom -- 05/24/03 Genoa, Italy -- 06/16/03 LaSpezia, Italy -- 06/23/03 Busan, Korea -- 08/04/03 Durban, South Africa -- 12/01/03 Halifax, Montreal, and Vancouver, Canada -- 03/02 (JTI only) Declarations of Principle (signed but currently no operational ports) China Malaysia Sri Lanka Spain Thailand