IMCOSEC

Integrated approach to IMprove the supply chain for COntainer transport and integrated SECurity simultaneously

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'There are two contradicting trends in global transport (which are valid also for the segment of containers and other ILUs ) that have to be aligned in the most efficient way – assuring free trade and assuring transport security. Thus, it is essential that private end-users and public end-users work together on the improvement of supply chain security to ensure public safety and security as well as the efficient flow of goods. IMCOSEC – “Integrated approach to IMprove the supply chain for COntainer transport and integrated SECurity simultaneously” is a risk based approach to identify and characterize the security gaps, preventive measures will be discussed and a guiding concept for demonstrations in phase II will be defined, with the aim to make the supply chains in their totality more secure without major negative impacts on their performance and without creating unjustifiable additional cost. An optimal solution will be creating win-win situations between industry and administration and will not imply as much security as possible, but as much security as needed and acceptable. Acceptance is one of the most important issues on the sustainability of the strategic roadmap to be developed. Therefore the consortium results will be discussed, reflected and validated by a series of international workshops with stakeholders and the projects Advisory Board involving additional stakeholders from private end-users and public end-users. This will mainly contribute to European wide awareness and shall ensure that the target processes defined and technologies assembled will be applicable in the real world business. The partners are well experienced in the sector – either from its logistics or from its security angle. The Consortium includes international associations, security consultants and research institutions, experts from the maritime and inland/combined transport, as well as an operator of a container security platform.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers have looked into how to balance the need for security in global supply chains with efficient business operation.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The logistics industry has had to handle two conflicting trends in recent years: the elimination of trade barriers to ensure free trade, and increasing security demands to counter the threat of terrorism.

An EU-funded research project, IMCOSEC, set out to create a new approach to ensure the security of supply chains whilst reconciling this with business efficiency. The needs of transporters have often been neglected in previous efforts, which have focused on the development of technologies to increase security. IMCOSEC aimed not to introduce as much security as possible, but rather as much as is needed, taking into account practicality and acceptability.

Focusing on maritime and containerised transport, the project team analysed the supply chain in various major global transport corridors, identifying gaps in security information. They considered all stakeholders' needs, plus cultural and human factors, to define a roadmap for target processes and suitable technologies that could be implemented along the supply chain. Reaching common agreement on risks and minimising the impacts in cost and time for commercial operators helped ensure there was broad acceptance of the technologies proposed.

The project brought together a network of experts from different fields and their collaboration will continue in the future to demonstrate and implement the new approach. Ultimately, IMCOSEC will help to increase the efficiency and security of the global trade upon which modern economies depend.