NCSC’s Resolve: To Make the World a Better and Safer Place
by David Jones

Ask any cargo-security professional, “What is the single most-effective weapon in the war against cargo thieves?” and most will reply, “Cooperation, understanding and mutual respect among the diverse private-sector and government associations and agencies that comprise the first-line of defense against those who threaten safe and secure global commerce.” The intense focus, ability and esprit de corps of NCSC members and its partners is why I am so proud to serve as the new Chairman of the National Cargo Security Council.

When Dick Atlas’s nominating committee asked me if I’d serve if elected, two emotions surfaced--trepidation and exhilaration. Trepidation as to my ability to help guide NCSC’s new officers, board members and committee heads to another year of progress and problem solving to match the successes of past leaders. Exhilaration when I examined the collective experience, ability and enthusiasm of fellow-members who will help me carry out the NCSC vision statement and confront new problems with new solutions.

NCSC has always been a work in progress. When a new cargo-security risk surfaces, our board, staff and members rise to the occasion and promptly reduce or eliminate the threat. A few of the hundreds of examples from our 29-year history:

  • Ten years ago, our chairman sent a message to all concerned that, “We have declared war on cargo crooks and will do everything we can to stop them and when we catch them we’ll prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. He called for senior management’s moral and financial support of their security pros, because every dollar rescued from the bad guys goes right to the bottom line.”

  • In the early ‘90s, NCSC took the lead in addressing the scare of mail bombs, suggesting that airlines, shippers, forwarders, USPS and FAA join forces to address the problem. This NCSC-fostered partnering of associations and government agencies grew in the past decade and arguably is the No.1 contribution NCSC has made to deterring cargo security and, since 9/11, terrorist threats.

  • As cargo thieves got smarter, the need for new technologies became paramount. NCSC stepped to the plate and established a Technology Committee, comprising the best brains in the nation. A 2004 Technology Committee with 5 sub-committees has been formed, and will take on the added task of combating cargo crooks and terrorist evildoers.

  • Since 9/11, the need for partnering grew in quantum leaps and NCSC took the lead once again in coalescing logistics associations and legislators to write a basket of new cargo-security measures. This will continue in 2004.

  • It was almost sayonara for the Los Angeles CargoCats in the fall of 2002 because of a $1-million shortfall in the county budget. NSCS came to the rescue by pulling together key backers to fund Sheriff Robert Osbourne’s illustrious unit.

  • NCSC’s education agenda is absolutely the very best. Roundtables, seminars, national conventions, our web site and newsletters attract record numbers of participants, thanks to the planning quality of the committees and the renowned and respected speakers who share their expertise and experience in fighting cargo crime and terrorism.

  • The growth explosion and added scope of NCSC, especially in the past two years, has been phenomenal. Several dozen members contributed mightily. Limited space here precludes my citing all, but I would be remiss in not mentioning two NCSC heroes--past chair Tom Sheets, CFE, Managing Partner of The Sheets Group, and Joe M. Baker, Jr., NCSC Executive Director.

Your new board, officers, members and I eagerly grasp the torch passed to us on behalf of our founders and subsequent leaders. The task is enormous but we will build on the past and together—members and our partners in government and the private sector—face the future with enthusiasm and a resolve to make the world a safer and better place.

Report on Association Activities

“NCSC membership has nearly tripled since 9-11. Before year’s end, it will reach 1,000,” speculates Joe M.  Baker, Jr., Executive Director of the Annapolis, Maryland, USA association.  

“We expect even further growth due to a new membership type--corporate, which entitles an unlimited number of members from that company. Corporate Category 1 is for Manufacturers/Shippers, Carriers, Freight Forwarders, Warehousers and Receivers. Category 2 is for Suppliers, Vendors, Consultants, Legal, Insurers/Risk Managers and Media," Baker explained.

NCSC will continue to offer memberships to individual companies and to affiliates (Law-Enforcement, Government and Academia). Costs and benefits for all membership categories are explained in attached downloadable documents and on the NCSC web site--www.cargosecurity.com.

Many members feel the greatest benefit of NCSC membership is sharing ideas with members from other cargo-security disciplines, e.g.:

  • Manufacturers & freight forwarders
  • Carriers that transport and deliver cargo
  • Insurers and loss surveyors
  • Customers and clients who receive cargo
  • Law-enforcement officials and professionals
  • Government-agency security professionals
  • Private security professionals
  • Law firms and legal experts
  • Security equipment and service providers
  • Academia and full-time students

NCSC helps to assure the safe, secure movement of the nation’s commerce by:

  • Serving as national clearinghouse for cargo-security efforts, techniques, and trends

  • Providing public platform to address industry needs relating to cargo security

  • Helping with voluntary initiatives that encourage research and development

  • Organizing programs to prevent cargo losses

  • Promoting professional/ethical industry standards

  • Improving technical abilities of members and others in the industry

  • Educating the public on transportation security issues and encouraging public support of our goals

  • Cooperating with law enforcement officials at all levels of government

  • Encouraging qualified individuals and students to enter the industry

Transportation/security professionals from the entire spectrum of cargo security-- air, truck, rail, maritime, and intermodal--benefit in 11 ways:

  1. Educational Opportunities. Cargo security roundtables, Cargo Security Conference and Trade Show, four-day intensive Cargo Security Management Course at the Merchant Marine Academy, 3 Roundtables annually, seminars nationwide.

  2. Advice from internationally recognized cargo security experts

  3. Access to NCSC’s speakers’ bureau and outreach educational programs.

  4. Cargo Security Report. Quarterly report on cargo security topics, NCSC News; on-line newsletter.

  5. Government liaison. Ongoing review of government regulations and law enforcement activities, and active liaison on “The Hill” in Washington, D.C.

  6. Awards program. Prestigious annual leadership awards

  7. Cargo theft alerts sent to members regularly.

  8. Membership Directory. “Who’s Who in Cargo Security”; State-by-state listing of members; cross-reference listing of members’ companies, agencies, etc.

  9. NCSC Website. www.cargosecurity.com offers a wealth of information & links to affiliated organizations, publications, and industry news.

  10. Cargo Security Guidelines. A 200+-page manual of industry guidelines free to NCSC members.

  11. Personal recognition. Certificate of membership and official lapel pin.

The NCSC coalition of 25 security associations and government agencies represents a powerful force in the war against cargo-theft and terrorist attacks. Add that group to the 22 Department of Homeland Security agencies, and the force becomes the most awesome security force on the face of the earth. 

The NCSC coalition members include:

  • Air Transport Association of America
  • Air Forwarders Association
  • American Institute of Marine Underwriters
  • American Trucking Associations
  • American Association of Port Authorities
  • Association of American Railroads
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
  • Central Station Alarm Association
  • Defense Transportation Association of America
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Transportation
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Household Goods Forwarders Association
  • International Association of Airport & Seaport Police
  • Island Marine Underwriters’ Association
  • International Mass Retail Association
  • Maritime Security Council
  • National Association of Waterfront Employers
  • National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association
  • State and Local Police
  • Transportation Security Administration
  • U.S. Customs Service
  • U.S. Transportation Command
  • Waterfront Commission of NY/NJ Harbor

Many members list NCSC educational activities as the main reason they joined. A partial list of these activities include:

  • Cargo Security Roundtables--one-day discussions, held 3-4 times per year, of timely cargo-security topics with lots of discussion and Q/A’s in a “roundtable” format.

  • Annual Cargo Security Conference & Exhibition--three-day event in May or June with experts from government and industry. Meetings are not held when the Exhibit Hall is open.

  • NCSC/Merchant Marine Academy Cargo-Security Management Course-a biannual 4-day event, at MMA in Kings Point, N.Y. Includes one-day visit to nearby port, airport and/or cargo terminal facilities.

  • NCSC publishes a 205-page manual that is a "bible” of logistics cargo-security and loss-control. It is free to members and reasonably priced for non-members.

  • NCSC Web Site at cargosecurity.com contains a wealth of cargo-security matters, continually updated with industry news and with links to affiliated organizations, publications, etc.

  • Seminars, On-line Training, Technical Papers round out the educational opportunities for NCSC members.

Please log on to cargosecurity.com for details of upcoming Roundtables, Seminars and other educational opportunities.