World Customs Organization - Enforcement and Compliance - The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme

Enforcement and Compliance - Responsibilities > The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme

Introduction

In 2003, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) initiated the Container Control Programme (CCP) for the purpose of enhancing port surveillance in developing countries to minimize the risk of maritime containers being exploited and used for illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other forms of fraudulent activity.

Operational implementation

The CCP is currently in operation at the following ports

Cape Verde: Porto Praia, Porto Grande, Porto Palmeira
Costa Rica: Port of Caldera, Limon Port Complex
Ecuador: Port of Guayaquil
Ghana: Port Tema
Pakistan: Port of Karachi, Port Qasim, seven inland container terminals (dry ports) situated in Chaman, Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Sambrial, Sust, and Torkham
Panama: Manzanillo International Terminal in Colon, Port of Balboa
Senegal: Port of Dakar
Turkmenistan: Port of Turkmenbashy, one inland container terminal (dry port) situated in Ashgabat

Main activities

The CCP comprises the following activities:

Theoretical and practical training specially adapted to surveillance of sea containers including information exchange, risk assessment and targeting techniques, governance, and integrity. Training is also provided on the use of ContainerCOMM, an internet based, secure, multifunctional communication system developed by the WCO Secretariat to facilitate the encrypted exchange of sensitive information, particularly the movement of suspected high risk containers.
Establishment of “Joint Port Control Units”. These teams combine officials from Customs authorities, police services and any other law enforcement agencies.

Encouragement of alliances between state services, economic operators and trade associations to promote information exchange and to prevent any diversion of legitimate trade for criminal purposes.

Cooperation with international bodies involved in the regulation and supervision of global container traffic.

International support

Current CCP donor countries include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In addition the CCP has received in-kind contributions from Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ghana, Norway, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

International and not-for-profit organizations actively supporting CCP implementation include the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO/INTERPOL), the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).

Programme coordinators

Mr. Ulrich Meiser

World Customs Organization

Brussels, Belgium

Tel. +32 2 209 93 24

Fax: +32 2 209 94 93

Email: ulrich.meiser(at)wcoomd.org

Mr. Ketil Ottersen

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Vienna, Austria

Tel. +43 1 26060 5528

Fax: +43 1 26060 75528