COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Container security proposals kept secret

Container shipping -- using metal containers that can go from ship to train to truck -- moves millions of tons of cargo into the U.S. each year.

By Mike Ahlers
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing national security reasons, a federal task force will not release the details of its recommendations to help prevent terrorists from launching an attack by using some of the estimated 5.7 million shipping containers that enter the country each year.

Several members of Congress have expressed concern that terrorists could hide nuclear, chemical or biological weapons in the shipping containers and detonate them after arrival in the United States.

In a terse statement Monday, the U.S. Department of Transportation said only that the recommendations called for "improving the quality and timeliness of cargo information."

Details of the recommendations were classified, DOT spokeswoman Kim Riddle said.

Each year, the "Container Working Group" task force has until February 1 to issue recommendations. In the past, the focus of shipping security has been aimed at preventing theft and ensuring the United States collects duties on imported goods.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, however, the government has taken steps to prevent terrorists from smuggling people or weapons in containers. The U.S. Customs Service currently requires shippers to disclose the contents of shipping containers several days before cargo arrives.

Customs inspectors use computer programs to compare the manifests with shipping orders. They give special scrutiny to cargo that has not been ordered or otherwise raises inspectors' suspicions.

But shipping manifests are not standardized, and comparing them with shipping orders can be cumbersome.

The Container Working Group is an offshoot of the National Infrastructure Security Committee created by Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta shortly after the September 11 attacks.

The task force's recommendations went to Mineta, Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and Office of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge.