Summary: This reference project review focuses on German national funded research project ECSIT: Enhancing container security through non-contact inspection at the seaport terminal. The work done in ECSIT in non-intrusive inspection devices should be continued and refined in CORE ST2.3 Next Generation Scanning System. Furthermore the ECSIT AP7 Demonstration of the system might be used as a good working example for organization and operating plans towards the CORE ST 2.3.4 Field Demonstration. More support from ECSIT might be given to CORE T7.3 Scenario-based simulation and towards US-based Demo WPs for the broadly discussed and approved scenarios how to survey container with a multi-layered inspection approach in mind. The authors of the review are Marcus Engler and Matthias Dreyer, ISL. You can find the full review and original files in CORE e-library, with the coding CORE3005. More information on the project at: https://www.isl.org/en/projects/ecsit

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The collaborative project ECSIT was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (sector “Securing Supply Chains”) within the German Federal Government’s “Research for Civil Security” program. The aim of the research project ECSIT was the development of innovative inspection technologies for increasing container security and the analysis of their implementation potential into an integrated concept. Due to the increased global threat of terrorism and organized crime on the one hand, and the strong growth in world trade of goods on the other hand, the demand for security solutions in the supply chain has grown considerably. Terrorist attacks must be avoided just as effectively as the smuggling of dangerous substances and goods or weapons. It is also important to ensure that significantly enhanced inspections cannot lead to new uncertainties or new security risks inside port terminals.

The target was development of an integrated concept involving all aspects, such as competences and responsibilities of various parties, legislation, harbour operations and processes, cost and technology to implement required safety measures, while safeguarding and improving processes and security in port areas. The US H.R.1 ‘100% Scanning Rule’ requires a substantial increase of resources needed in ports for inspection of containers. Scanning all US bound containers cannot be realised with technology available without risking a bottleneck in ports.

Security risks and requirements of end-users were analyzed, implementation of technology to identify cargo with hazardous materials and development of fast imaging methods for scanning containers formed a technical challenge of ECSIT. Integration of technology into the processes was necessary, otherwise ongoing operations and port security might be affected. Therefore, the inspection system should be integrated in existing alarm and security systems and related information sources and types. The Container Terminal Bremerhaven was used to as demonstration for integration of developed components. Accompanying cost-benefit analysis and study of legal and policy frameworks were executed. Objective was development of an overall concept being transferable to any container terminal.

ECSIT relevance to CORE: In ECSIT and CORE Smith Heimann is part of each consortium with the task of developing non-intrusive inspection devices. The work done in ECSIT should be continued and refined in CORE ST2.3 Next Generation Scanning System. Furthermore the ECSIT AP7 Demonstration of the system (took place in the Containerterminal Bremerhaven, DE, Oct 31st 2013) might be used as a good working example for organization and operating plans towards the CORE ST 2.3.4 Field Demonstration.

More support from ECSIT might be given to CORE T7.3 Scenario-based simulation and towards US-based Demo WPs for the broadly discussed and approved scenarios how to survey container with a multi-layered inspection approach in mind. Instead of simply scanning 100% of all containers, the method in ECSIT described to check with basic system first and if conspicuous feature occur, the next more sophisticated check is performed. This means, each affected container undergoes a basic 2D XRay and identification of nuclides. If a conspicuous feature is raised, next step is either a 3D- XRay and if still uncertainties exist, a manual check is performed. On the other hand, if an enhanced radiation is detected, an alarm is risen immediately.

The system described also takes containers which cannot be checked this way into account, as well as terminal operators view not to disturb operations and minimum of additional space required against redundancy and peak hours. Even the idea which might be interpreted from H.R.1 that the operator of this inspection operation is not in charge of releasing single units inspected is taken into account as well as the use of road, rail and iWW/Deep Sea for container delivery and subsequent inspection.

The cooperation of port related stakeholders for additional security checks using different systems was developed in ECSIT AP7. This is a good example for CORE WP3 for a data exchange concept and implementation. The related dashboards (Business, Customs and other Authorities) should also be taken into account since the German characteristics (e.g. DG inspected by state authorities) is contained.

In order to minimize efforts for all stakeholders a simulation using the SCUSY system towards optimal use of this system was done, taking the real layout of the container terminal Bremerhaven into account. Multiple different layouts of the terminal was simulated and best solutions found which were subsequently discussed with stakeholders. This was part of AP 4 and might be reused in CORE Demo-WPs.

Related Documentation – ECSIT Deliverables – Dissemination Level PU: Public

• CORE3005-ECSIT_Flyer_English.pdf
• CORE3005-ECSIT Schlussbericht.pdf       (final report, DE)
• CORE3005-ECSIT Szenarien_FINAL.pdf (ppt of scenarios, DE)

Dissemination Level CO: Confidential

• CORE3005-ECSIT AP 4.1-4.3 Ablaufplanung u. Standortfrage.pdf             (places and processes, DE)
• CORE3005-ECSIT AP7.1 Informationssystem.pdf (IT system of systems, DE)
• CORE3005-ECSIT AP7.2-Integration-und-Test-IT-System.pdf (IT integration and test, DE)
• CORE3005-ECSIT AP7.3 Technikkomponenten.pdf (Hardware, DE)

Project web-site:

• In German: http://www.ecsit-security.de/
• In English: https://www.isl.org/en/projects/ecsit

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