First, there's computerization. Shipping companies such as APL use computers to track the movement of every container, every shipment, and to provide on-line, up-to-date information to their customers.

Then, there's safety. Container shipping has become much more security-conscious recently because of the terrorist threats to the United States.

That's where Robin Kirby comes in: she helps keep APL's cargo safe and moving using computer technology!

Robin is the Director of Business Systems Design for APL. She's had the job for about three years, and she's been working very hard because of the many advances in computer technology during that time and the many changes in security regulations.

In a nutshell, Robin's job is to translate the needs of APL's customers into APL's systems and its computer programs. So, when a customer thinks of a new idea that would be really helpful—say, a way to track shipments on a handheld computer—Robin's team gets involved to dream up a solution.

Robin had a real challenge on the job earlier this year.

At the beginning of February, a new U.S. Customs Service Rule, called the 24 Hour Advance Manifest Vessel Rule, went into effect. This rule was designed to help keep the United States' many ports and container ships safe from terrorism. It requires that all shipper submit detailed manifests (or lists) to U.S. Customs of everything they are shipping to or through the United States, 24 hours before they load that cargo at the last foreign port before the ship comes to the United States.

That's a very complicated rule. And it was Robin's job to make it happen, to make sure that APL would do its part in the war on terrorism.

Robin had to figure out how to build a brand-new computer system. This new system would have to allow APL to collect and report information on shipments at a level of detail the company had never used in the past. She had to work with APL customers, because the customers would have to give APL much more detailed information about what they were shipping and why. She had to work with her colleagues at APL around the world, to train them to collect this new information and enter it correctly into the new computer system. And she had to work with U.S. Customs, to make sure that APL's new system would fully comply with the new 24 Hour Rule.

And she had to do all this in just eight weeks!

Well, Robin started working fast. She set up implementation teams in each region of the world to help develop and test the new computer system. And she relied on APL's Information Technology staff to work with her and the implementation teams to do all the programming required to get the computers to collect and report the information the Customs Service needed. Together, her team met the Customs Service deadline and made sure that APL was 100% in compliance with the new rule.

Robin hasn't had a lot of time to sleep in the last few months. But now that her big project is completed she can rest easy knowing that she's done her part to keep APL ships—and U.S. ports—safe and secure.

24 Hour Advance Manifest Rule
Effective February 2, 2003, the United States Customs Service begins enforcement of the 24 Hour Advance Manifest Vessel Rule. This new law, also referred to as the "24 Hour Rule", requires carriers to submit detailed manifests to U.S. Customs for ocean cargo shipped to or through the United States 24 hours prior to the loading of cargo at the last foreign port before the vessel departs for the United States. The specific provisions of the 24 Hour Rule have significant implications for buyers and sellers of international goods, and for international ocean carriers. The full text of the rule, including a summary of key comments and Customs responses, may be found in the Federal Register. See 67 Fed. Reg. 66318 (October 31, 2002).