According to Transport Canada, there’s something fishy about the air cargo shipments coming from Europe lately. And no, we’re not talking about crates of Italian sardines.
What happened: The federal transport body has set stricter import requirements for air cargo parcels arriving from 55 European and Eurasian countries. Parcels from shippers without an established business relationship with Air Canada’s cargo division or its partners are no longer accepted for import.
- The move follows the similar restrictions that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration enacted last month.
Why it’s happening: There’s been an uptick in security incidents involving European air cargo this summer. German authorities have warned that unknown actors are sending parcels with fire-starting devices in a seemingly deliberate attempt to damage freight service companies' vessels and infrastructure.
Why it matters: While the origins of these combustible parcels remain unknown, security sources told German news agency DPA that authorities have not ruled out Russian sabotage meant to disrupt the flow of goods. Germany has been a hotspot for Russian interference this year.—QH