In February 2014 C-TPAT announced its recognition of a best practice implemented at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, the second largest port in Europe.
In order to close security gaps and increase port security, the Port of Antwerp instituted the Neighborhood Information Network (BIN). This program allows the anonymous reporting of information regarding suspicious activity at the port to local police and the companies participating in BIN, thus opening lines of communication between these companies and law enforcement and allowing the two to work together to increase security and prevent crime at the port.
BIN was implemented in response to an increase in the number of criminal acts perpetrated at the port as a result of a lack of appropriate security. For example, previous to the development of BIN, criminals were able to gain access to port computers and track containers loaded with narcotics. In other cases, criminals stole various companies’ information as a means to arrange the import of narcotics under a legitimate company’s name. Since the initiation of BIN, the number of cases such as these has decreased.
Security, for ports of all sizes, is of utmost importance as it is a means to protect incoming and outgoing cargo from becoming a vehicle for crime and terrorism. C-TPAT works to secure supply chains across the globe and improve security, and as such, recognizes BIN as a best practice.
Read Custom & Border Protection’s bulletin regarding this requirement.
By Abby Frank, Consulting Coordinator