International trade is one of the key drivers of global economic growth. In today's world, the cargo supply chains that carry this trade are complex and involve a great number and variety of parties. Unfortunately, these supply chains are also vulnerable to exploitation by terrorists to further their own ends. Guarding against such exploitation is therefore of vital importance, as the global trading system cannot afford the consequences of a destructive attack.

Supply chain security can only be achieved by looking at supply chains in total, and not by focusing on their components in isolation. It is often said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Securing the supply chain therefore has to involve securing every node and link, creating a chain of responsibility much stronger than its individual links.

The security process must start with the safe and secure packing of a shipment and include measures that deter or provide alerts of any tampering of the shipment as it progressively moves from point of packing to final point of deconsolidation.

Several countries and international organisations have developed or are developing guidelines and best practices for ensuring the security of cargo, processes, and personnel involved in every movement through the supply chain. Following are some examples:

• U.S - Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
• New Zealand – Secure Exports Partnership (SEP)
• Canada – Partners in Protection (PIP)
• Sweden – StairWay Programme
• WCO - Framework Of Standards To Secure And Facilitate Global Trade
• ISO – 28000, 28001

SECURE TRADE PARTNERSHIP (STP)
In June 2006, STET Maritime Bureau was appointed by Singapore Inter-Governmental Agency committee as a consultant to develop the National Supply Chain Security Programme which has been named as the Secure Trade Partnership (STP) programme and now headed by the Singapore Customs. The STP is a voluntry program administered by Singapore Customs to raise the level of supply chain security standards among the companies in Singapore.

SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY CONSULTANCY SERVICES
STET Maritime Bureau has a pool of professional staff with relevant experiences, to provide customized global supply chain security programs, which take into account country domestic and international issues, specific cargo requirements and transportation mode to ensure that security of the supply chain is adequately addressed at all stages in the up and downstream processes. STET Maritime Bureau is able to assist and provide consultancy services for Companies be certified under the STP program. Companies certified under the STP would enjoy greater facilitation for being recognised as trusted partner of Singapore Customs.

ISO 28000 Certification
ISO28000 is a management system dealing with Supply Chain Security and the logistics of upstream and downstream product delivery. With expertise in development of ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2004 and Supply Chain Security for various industries, STET Maritime Bureau is able to provide Companies in the development of the security management system and implementation of a comprehensive security procedures to meet the ISO 28000 certification requirements.

Risk Assessments
As a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) with expertise and experience in security audit, risk assessment and design of security solutions for facilities, STET Maritime Bureau can provide a comprehensive risk and security assessment in the Company’s domestic and international supply chains to determine the appropriate countermeasures and mitigation strategies, effective for the type and size of its business.

Business Partner Security Audit
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. A Company may make important security efforts, but if the business partner or the one providing a service does not do the same, the opportunities for illegal activities within the supply chain will still exist. It is thus important that Company extend supply chain security to include business partners. STET Maritime Bureau is able to conduct an independent security audit on behalf of the Company to validate if their business partners have in place reliable supply chain security measures as cargo is moved from the point of origin to its destination.

Cargo Handling & Packaging
STET Maritime Bureau also provide surveys and superintendence of dry and liquid cargo, refrigerated and perishable goods, containerized cargo and other special cargo during loading and discharge operations. We have the expertise to customize shipping, lashing and packaging policies and procedures to cost efficiently mitigate the risk of cargo damage.