FMC CHAIRMAN URGES OTIs TO JOIN C-TPAT

FMC CHAIRMAN URGES OTIs TO JOIN C-TPAT    U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Steven R. Blust urged members of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association on Monday to join a Customs program to improve international supply chain security.
   The program, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, is now accepting applications from ocean transportation intermediaries, such as freight forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers.
   “I support the C-TPAT,” Blust said. “I encourage you to avail yourselves of this opportunity. By working with trusted partners, you can help to ensure the safe and expedient transportation of cargo.”
   In C-TPAT, industry participants agree to develop and implement documented programs to improve security procedures throughout the supply chain.
   Blust also affirmed the FMC’s role in the improvement of the nation’s maritime and port security.
   “I believe it is essential that each entity in the supply chain, including government agencies, do its own part towards securing the chain,” Blust said. “I believe that all of the entities involved in ocean transportation, including government agencies, must form a collaborative and integrated system to ensure the safety and efficiency of the supply chain.”
   “While our role at the FMC is primarily of support to the front line organizations, I would just like to assure you that is something we at the FMC include in our day to day functions, such as the licensing of OTIs,” Blust said
   “We hope to use our expertise and vast collection of commercial information to assist the various entities on the front lines of securing our ports and vessels,” he said. “As such, we regularly provide technical expertise and assistance to those entities.”