As the global number of air passengers is expected to double in the coming 20 years, the growing connectivity offered by airlines is prone to exploitation by high-risk passengers. Further, the demand for the fast delivery of high value, sensitive and perishable goods drives the expansion of the international air cargo industry. Today, airfreight accounts for 35% of world trade by value. Greater passenger volumes and increasingly sophisticated concealment methods mean that countries and their law enforcement authorities may need additional support to enhance their technical and technological security capabilities. More
Shipping lanes are the superhighways of international commerce, and as the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected, trade opportunities have spread worldwide. About 90% of the world’s cargo is transported in maritime containers, but only less than 2% is physically inspected by customs authorities. Further, air cargo transports over US$6 trillion worth of goods annually, including almost 320.4 billion letters and post items. This provides ample opportunities for organized crime and terrorist groups to exploit significant trade volumes and undertake illicit activities, such as avoiding customs duties, circumventing quotas, or smuggling protected products such as timber and wildlife, as well as nuclear materials, weapons and illicit drugs. More
