IAPH and WCO launch an updated version of their guidelines for cooperation between customs and port authorities with WSC input
Around two-thirds of 2,600 drug seizures in maritime shipping containers across 2023 and 2024 were found to have some level of internal conspirator support somewhere in the supply chain. That is the standout fact from WCO’s Report on infiltration of maritime cargo supply chains that set the stage for the Global Conference on ‘a collective response to safeguarding maritime supply chains from criminal threats’, held at the WCO in Brussels.
To identify innovative mitigation strategies to this pervasive threat, the WCO’s Supply Chain Integrity Project collaborated with the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) to organise a conference bringing together over 70 stakeholders from the Customs and law enforcement community, governments and the maritime cargo industry to reinforce international cooperation in this highly dynamic domain.
The conference offered contemporary insights into the tactics used by criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in legitimate maritime trade systems to move illicit goods. Participants heard firsthand from representatives of Customs, exporters, ocean carriers and maritime port authorities about the measures they take to protect their staff, assets, operations, reputation and society as a whole.
A presentation from the Smart Container Alliance offered a look into modern smart security devices and how they contribute to safe and secure containerized cargo movements.
Additionally, the Asociatión de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador (AEBE) gave a presentation on the farm to port security measures being taken by their members to protect banana shipments from narcotics contamination. Panelists highlighted the need for all organizations, both government and private sector, in the maritime supply chain to recognize the deep threat organized crime poses, regardless of their role, size and location.
They also stressed the need to collaborate and that establishing a continuous dialogue between supply chain actors and law enforcement bodies across borders would enable parties to jointly learn from the other’s operations and needs, creating opportunities for improving their respective operational models.
Approaches to make such partnerships work and lessons learned from existing initiatives were presented. Multiple speakers pointed to the need for specific discussions between enforcement agencies and industry on the identification and expedited sharing of data that will bring additional value for targeting contaminated and compromised containers.
Joint post-incident analysis and regular coordination meetings to share information on emerging issues and concerns were mentioned as best practices. On the theme of best practices, the conference also saw the WCO and IAPH published their updated joint Guidelines on Cooperation Between Customs and Port Authorities, including WSC input.
Ocean carriers, exporters, ports representatives and the Federation of European Private Port Companies & Terminals (FEPORT) also discussed limitations of some of the measures they are taking, such as staff protection, background checks or termination procedures, and the need for government’s support to enhance their efficiency.
Participants were reminded that the WCO recently adopted the Guideline on Customs Responses to Industry Referrals which calls for single points of contact in Customs agencies, timely feedback to referrers, and regular post incident analysis. These are concrete steps that help convert referrals into learning and better prevention without compromising investigations or the efficient flow of commerce that is critical to our economies.
As a next step, the WCO invited participants to put forward proposals or suggestions in line with a central and re-occurring conference theme of enhancing the public-private partnership and fostering resilient cargo supply chains through information and data exchange.
The WCO’s Supply Chain Integrity Project will present a summary of the conference and proposals received to the next WCO Enforcement Committee in March 2026, with a view to further enhance the capacity of Customs administrations and deepen the collaboration with all stakeholders seeking to preserve the safety and security of the world’s increasingly vulnerable cargo supply chains.