More express delivery firms suspend Yemen services

A number of global express and parcel delivery firms are closing ranks with their counterparts in suspending their operations from Yemen following the interception of the US-bound explosive material concealed in parcels that originated in Yemen.

Aramex, the Dubai Financial Market-listed logistics and transportation solutions provider, has suspended all outbound shipments originating from Yemen until further notice.

"Shipments originating from Yemen have been suspended until further notice. We are currently examining the full details of the specific threats and we will put in place procedures to safeguard the movement of our shipments across the network," Hussein Hachem, CEO for Middle East and Africa, Aramex, told Emirates 24|7.

"The interception of explosive material in courier shipments is a serious international security concern. Based on the initial report submitted by the relevant authorities, it is a standard procedure at Aramex to temporarily halt shipments from a destination in question where irregularities have been noted," he added.

TNT Express, another global mail and logistics services providing firm, has also put on hold its services from Yemen effective Monday.

"Today [November 1], TNT decided to put a full embargo on freight, parcels and documents originating from Yemen until the relevant authorities alleviate or adapt their country level decisions," Mark Woodcock, sales and commercial director, TNT Express UAE, told this website.

He said the company is in full co-operation with the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) and all relevant national authorities.

DHL, a global logistics, express and mail delivery firm, is another major company to follow suit.

"The TSA has issued an emergency alert to stop all Yemen to US shipments through November 1, 1700 GMT. DHL is fully complying with this directive globally. Any shipment Yemen to the US in transit will be stopped at next available location prior to entering the US. DHL will comply and await further guidance from TSA on shipments originating Yemen to US. The rest of the DHL global network will continue to operate as normal with standard security protocols," said a DHL spokesperson.

Logistics firms also underlined the need to adopt new security measures to screen difficult-to-detect dangerous materials hidden in a parcel, like the intercepted ones.

"It is crucial for our industry to keep up-to-date with the most recent and sophisticated technology and systems available to detect and screen suspicious parcels. At Aramex, we already follow stringent processes in scrutinising shipments," Hachem of Aramex said, adding: "The safety and security team is constantly evaluating our security checks to incorporate advanced technology in enhancing current measures and ensuring the safe and secure transport of shipments, both for documents and non-documents."

Concurred Woodcock of TNT Express UAE. "Those events underline the need to have a strong and tamper-proof security chain and a very high level of vigilance when securing freight that will be moved on our own air network and just as importantly when items are being sent using commercial air networks."

He said: "In order to prevent acts of terrorism our TNT security central team developed several company policies and procedures relating to aviation security several years ago. TNT will continue to maintain these protocols and in so doing protect our customers, our employees, our assets, our company and of course the general public."

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.