Geneva, 12 March, 2008
Cotecna signs new inspection contract with the government of Senegal
On 27 February 2008, Cotecna Inspection S.A signed a new exclusive inspection contract with the Government of Senegal. Within this new contract that started on 1st March 2008, Cotecna will provide Pre-Shipment Inspection and Destination Inspection including Scanners and Risk Management* as well as Transit Monitoring** services.
In the continuation and reinforcement of the Destination Inspection programme initiated in 2003, Cotecna will install and operate three new high-energy, high-performance scanners (two Gantry Relocatable and one Portal) and will continue to manage the two existing mobile scanners. In addition to the operations at the Port of Dakar, which will be modernized with the most advanced scanning technology, several new scanning operations at inland sites will be implemented to reinforce customs control on main communication axis with neighboring countries. A Pallet scanner will also be installed and operated at Dakar airport for the control of air freight. The new scanners are supplied by Nuctech Company Ltd.
The Transit Monitoring services* (e-tracking) involve the use of a portable GPS device capable of detecting and reporting in real time a vehicle’s exact location and eventual suspect behaviour. Cotecna will implement the e-tracking technology and will assist Customs in its operation. The GPS technology and software will be provided by the ASTRATA Group, a specialist in geo-location systems.
Cotecna has been present in Senegal since 2001 when the company won its first international tender for Pre-Shipment Inspection that was later to include Risk Management. Cotecna won another international tender in 2003 for a contract that extended the services to include Destination Inspection and two mobile scanners at the Port of Dakar.
Robert Massey, CEO Cotecna said “This new contract with the Government of Senegal proves that we have demonstrated over the years our competence and leadership in the domain of Institutional Inspection services. The choice to use Cotecna’s risk management and e-tracking services confirms the recognition of the company’s reputation and advanced technological know-how. ”
Note to editors:
* Cotecna’s Computerized Risk Management System (CRMS®) is an automated Customs solution that uses econometrical modeling to identify the relevant criteria for assessing the risk associated with trade transactions. The CRMS® applies criteria in a systematic manner to determine the level of risk for each transaction and assigns levels of Customs intervention according to level of risk and available resources.
** Cotecna’s Transit Monitoring & Traceability solution is designed to remotely monitor the movement of vehicles transporting goods in Transit. Transit vehicles are equipped with a GPS device capable of detecting a vehicle’s exact location and a communication module, which transmits data concerning the status of the vehicle (e.g. position, speed, direction, and reports on predefined events) to a remote control station. The collected information allows Customs to reinforce compliance to Transit regulations and rapidly detect any abnormal behaviour occurring during the journey, such as prolonged immobilisation of the vehicle and deviation from the authorized corridor. The solution developed by Cotecna enables Customs to better fight against fraud whilst facilitating trade.