Secure Freight Initiative (SFI)

Overview

The Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) is a key provision of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 and is part of the International Container Security scanning project. It builds on its current partnership between the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Megaports Initiative. In many ways SFI is an outgrowth
of CSI intended to increase the security of U.S. ports while keeping legitimate trade flowing.

SFI expands the use of scanning and imaging equipment to examine more U.S. bound containers,
not just those determined to be high risk. It was officially launched on December 7, 2006 and will test
the feasibility of using integrated technology which includes radiation portal monitors, non-intrusive imaging equipment and optical character recognition. By using this technology to scan more cargo, SFI ports should achieve a higher level of security without impeding the flow of commerce.

SFI will be deployed in phases. Phase I will begin operating in six foreign ports within 18 months. Based
on what is learned from the first phase, a second phase with more extensive deployments will follow.
The initiative includes the cooperation and partnership of maritime terminal operators and ocean carriers who pledged to support this effort at facilities they operate overseas.

Key Information and Links

SFI Articles

Please contact APL Security if you require any further information about Security or Trade Regulation matters.