U.S.-bound ship cargo to get more scrutiny

Though 100 percent screening of maritime cargo would be prohibitively costly and cause huge delays, the Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday a security measure intended to improve knowledge about ship cargo headed for U.S. ports, such as Philadelphia. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said U.S. Customs and Border Protection had begun enforcing a cargo-reporting requirement that ocean carriers and importers submit additional details about U.S.-bound cargo 24 hours before it is loaded onto vessels in foreign seaports.