The Role of Competent International Organizations in Developing the International Supply Chain Security Regime

Abstract

Supply chain security is now acknowledged to be an indispensable element in the developing global maritime security system. Efforts to develop a supply chain security regime began almost immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. It soon became apparent that because global supply chains extend well beyond the ports and vessels employed in the transport function, responsibility for developing an international regime for security of the entire chain did not fall squarely in any international organization's traditional portfolio. This article examines the question of which international organization or combination of organizations should guide development and implementation efforts of the supply chain security regime in the coming years. After providing background materials on risk assessment and management principles and a brief summary of supply chain security initiatives taken or under discussion by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Customs Organization (WCO), World Trade Organization, European Union, and the United States, the article suggests criteria that should be used in deciding how competency over the future development and implementation efforts should be allocated. Application of those criteria leads to the conclusion that the current joint effort by the IMO and WCO best meets the public and private needs in the maritime security system. At the same, however, the organizations' effectiveness should be periodically assessed against objective performance criteria to ensure that today's choice remains a sound one in our rapidly changing security environment.

Keywords: maritime security, supply chain security, international maritime law

JEL Classification: H56, K33, R49, L92