New container scanning system launched

Dubai Customs has launched a new container scanning system
The new system, the IP6500, is an integrated system for scanning and examining mobile containers and trucks through radioactive detection of their contents.

Dubai Customs seeks to install four extra radioactive systems at its customs ports, which, experience intensive traffic of trucks with objective of accelerating customs inspection operations, reinforce Dubai borders security capabilities and control entry of prohibited and banned goods.

The new system is capable for scanning 150 trucks per hour while moving at a speed of 8 and 15 km coming to one truck every 24 seconds.
The IP6500 system requires only a limited and small built-up area allowing to be installed in congested locations. The system is set to be installed in five locations at Jebel Ali Port.

Launching the new system Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Director General of Dubai Customs, said:  "The new inspection systems project comes within the framework of Dubai government strategic plan in respect to the security perspective through enhancing borders and ports control and develop the supporting systems and equipment keeping Dubai one of the most secured cities worldwide.”

The launch ceremony was attended by a high level USA delegation headed by the General Commissioner of USA Customs and Borders Protection, Alin Persin and the USA Consul General in Dubai, Jostin Sibreil. The ceremony was also attended by Mohammed Al Moaalim, vice-first chairman and director general of Dubai World in UAE.

"Dubai Customs being the emirate's gateway, undertakes the responsibility for preventing Dubai's strategic location between West and East from any utilization or benefiting from the enormous re-export operations in the emirate for smuggling illegitimate goods, nuclear and radioactive substances and dangerous and internationally prohibited materials,” Butti said.

The system incorporates three scanning and detection techniques known as Optical Characteristic Recognition (OCR) being the first phase of the scanning process. When the container passes through the system gate the OCR recognises the container numbers through firmed up cameras without stop or human intervention.
In the second phase when the container passes through, the radiation detection technique allows the spectroscopic radiation detection and identification, which conforms to ANSI N42.38-2006 standard for detecting radioactive substances and relocating them in the container.
 
Phase three of the container scanning process includes high-energy X-ray imaging technique. Such techniques, which is associated with the system operates on imaging systems that relies upon the 6.5 electron volt x-ray generator and radiation receiving detectors, which are transformed into images that can be interpreted by the images analysis programme enabling the inspection officer through the images taken from the system to view the contents of the container or truck without opening the container or halting the truck.

All the foregoing phases are conducted whilst containers or trucks are passing through without stop and within a standard period of time representing an increase of 750 per cent as compared to the former scanning systems that used to scan 20 containers per hour requiring the container or truck to be stopped.