Between February 26 and 29, 2008, COSCO attended the annual C-TPAT Training Seminar, which was held in New Orleans. This was the sixth annual seminar, and I am pleased to say that COSCO has attended every one. As always, it was an informative conference. They are very popular...this year’s had over 600 participants. The training seminar provided the trade with a great opportunity to learn about latest developments in supply chain security.

Primarily designed as a training seminar, this was the first formal opportunity that the trade community had to meet with Customs in a large setting.  While there were many people in attendance, many of the Customs presenters, from senior management to inspectors, were readily available to meet and answer questions in personal and small group settings.  Throughout the conference, Customs thanked the many companies who had joined C-TPAT, a ground-breaking public-private security partnership.

Attendance at the conference provided all the attendees with the latest information. Of particular interest were security briefings which demonstrated the many ways that criminal elements use legitimate means of transportation to ship their illegal goods.  Repeated throughout the conference was the possibility that weapons of mass destruction could be sent via containerized shipping. Additionally, listening to the experiences and ideas of other companies in the supply chain generated much active discussion during and after the daily presentations.

We have posted a few of the presentations for you. Each one is a pdf file and will open in a new window. They are:

• CBP and USCG Joint Efforts Tackling Industry Concern
• Automated Commercial Environment
• In-Bond
• Mexico Long Haul Carrier and Terminal Operator Criteria.
• 17-Point Truck and Trailer Workshop.

These conferences are open to confirmed C-TPAT partners only.  We encourage other companies in the supply chain management chain who are C-TPAT members to attend in the future.  COSCO will be continuing to use our Security page to advise you of our latest developments.  Thanks for visiting this page!

Best Regards,
Howard Finkel
Exec. V.P., Trade
Company Security Officer