Unisys gets three new cargo security projects

Unisys Corp. has been selected to implement three new cargo security pilot programs, officials of the Blue Bell, Pa., firm announced today.

Unisys will work to improve the security of Motorola Inc.'s shipments to and from the Port of Seattle/Tacoma, with Sara Lee Apparel's shipments to and from the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, and with an unidentified firm's shipments to and from the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach. The third firm did not want to be identified for security reasons, said Tom Conaway, managing partner, homeland security, for Unisys Global Public Sector.

Janiece Webb, senior vice president of Motorola, said the project will allow Motorola to monitor its supply chain in real time from source manufacturer to final destination. As a result, Motorola will be able to meet government security requirements. It also will reap benefits such as lower inventory, reduced wait times, higher service levels and improved risk management, she said.

The pilot programs are part of the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Safe Commerce project. They are funded by grants to the ports from the department's Transportation Security Administration. The value of Unisys' grants has not been finalized, Conaway said.

Unisys has been chosen to lead four of 18 existing pilot projects, more than any other solution provider to date, Conaway said. On July 1, Unisys announced that it was selected for a TSA secure supply chain project with the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and Sara Lee Coffee & Tea Foodservice. Other pilot project providers include Science Applications International Corp., Boeing Co. and System Planning Corp.

All four Unisys pilot projects, which will last about 12 months each, are part of a large-scale effort to improve the security of cargo containers entering the United States from abroad. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 16,000 cargo containers arrive in U.S. seaports each day. More than six million arrive each year.