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Back to News Menu                                                                                                           January  2015 

Cruise ship security screening currently pales in comparison to that of air travel, but that gap in strictness could be shrinking soon, according to IHS market analyst Jared Bickenbach.

That's because the U.S. Coast Guard recently announced plans to create the Terminal Screening Program (TSP) in an effort to systematize security screening procedures at cruise ship terminals across the country.

The creation of the TSP is expected to bolster security at cruise ship terminals by developing "a standardized list of prohibited items and training standards to consolidate requirements for screeners." The program is also expected to require the screening of all passenger, crew, and visitors' baggage and personal items in order to achieve the goal of improved security.

Currently, many cruise ship terminals rely on a combination of procedures, including X-ray, canine teams and manual inspections to screen for dangerous items like explosives, weapons and contraband.

However, a recently published report by IHS on the explosives, weapons and contraband detection equipment market, the seaports market is forecast to experience a compound annual growth rate of "6.7 percent to $241.6 million in 2018."

While TSP requirements are certain to change the way future cruise ship passengers are screened by security personnel, the long-term outlook on the cruise market appears promising as it will ensure better safety for travelers.

Plus, added regulations in the U.S. are likely to lead to similar ones in other parts of the world.

Despite the U.S. Coast Guard's announcement, the threat of terrorism on a cruise ship remains extremely low, with the IHS reporting only five such attacks on cruise ships over the past six decades

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