Ebbie - 21 Feb 06 - 12:07 PM

"That begins to explain why containers are not inspected."

Really Ebbie? How do you know that? Have you read through the IMO ISPS Codes (International Maritime Organisation, a UN organisation, International Ship and Port Security). It is part of a vessel's SOLAS Certification, if the ship does not have that certificate it cannot be insured, if not insured it cannot trade. Ports are registered too, the days have long gone since you could just shove any old thing on any old scow and send it to wherever the fancy took you. You ship only from ports registered under the ISPS system, all cargoes, containers, etc, are inspected and sealed at point of departure, the port areas themselves are sealed off and patrolled. The security situation within the part of the world where the port is located is constantly checked, as are those from which ships arrive from. Ships must report at least 24hrs prior to arrival and their trading profile and manifests are checked. Might not seem much, might not be all that visible, but it is thorough and it is seen through and checked.

All an American idea, came to somebody in the US Administration very shortly after 911.