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The National Cargo Security Council (NCSC) recently began offering educational programs designed to help transportation companies and shippers comply with several U.S. Department of Homeland Security policies enacted after Sept. 11, 2001.

The courses address U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), the Maritime Transportation Security Act, the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation and Navigable Waters regulations, and International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Security policy.

All seven Class Is are voluntary members of the C-TPAT program, under which the railroads monitor all areas of security, such as documents, information systems, employee and contractor identification, equipment and facilities. In turn, U.S. Customs ensures the roads a faster release of goods at border crossings.

Available in classroom settings, online or via a CD-ROM, the courses are designed to help transportation and shipping professionals understand and comply with new security policies while trying to improve the flow of containers through U.S. ports and other border crossing checkpoints.

"Whether you're a major manufacturer, retailer or logistics service provider, today you're confronted with a bewildering array of new Homeland Security policies, especially if you're involved in international trade coming into the United States," said David Jones, NCSC chairman, and corporate vice president-security and loss prevention for Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc., in a prepared statement.

Members of NCSC — an association comprising about 1,100 cargo-transportation and security professionals from the railroad, trucking, maritime and intermodal industries — will receive discounted course rates.