Incendiary devices have been found in both the UK and Germany, introducing a significant new risk to global supply chains which could disrupt festivities.
Incendiary devices on planes have introduced a significant new risk to global supply chains.
The discovery of such devices in European parcel networks has led to warnings about the potential impact on international logistics and the wider economy.
Earlier this year, incendiary devices were found in both the UK and Germany. In July, a shipment containing such a device made its way into DHL’s UK parcel network and ignited in a warehouse in Birmingham.
The fire was quickly extinguished, but the fact the device had been transported by air raised alarms. Had it ignited mid-flight, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
A similar incident occurred in Leipzig, Germany, where another device caught fire, but, fortunately, it was delayed before being loaded onto an aircraft.
As authorities investigate the incidents in the UK and Germany, both are suspected to be part of a coordinated campaign of sabotage linked to Russian espionage operations across Europe.
Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association, is clear on the issue’s seriousness: “This new threat could cause widespread delays and disruptions, especially for customers waiting on deliveries in the lead-up to the busy holiday season.”
The response has been swift as countries including the US, Canada and Australia have all rushed to introduce stricter security protocols for air cargo, aimed at preventing similar attacks in the future.
“We can see efforts are being made to keep our aircraft safe and regulations should adapt quickly to the new threat,” Brandon adds.
Supply chain vulnerabilities and the global impact
The immediate effect of these incendiary devices being discovered in parcel networks is likely to be felt in the form of delays and cancellations, but long-term implications could be far more severe.
Air cargo plays a crucial role in transporting essential goods, including medical supplies and vaccines, so any disruption to these deliveries could have serious consequences.
Brandon highlights this concern: “Freight forwarders, who manage the organisation of cargo shipments, are key in this fight.
“We have the knowledge and capacity to help authorities, governments and businesses protect their supply chains. Aircraft are often used for critical deliveries and keeping these routes secure is a matter of utmost importance.”
Stricter security measures in response
In response to these incidents, logistics companies and governments have taken action.
DHL Express, for example, has announced new security protocols to protect its staff, customers and shipments.
“DHL Express Europe is taking risk mitigation actions to secure its network, staff and assets as well as customer shipments by implementing strengthened security measures across European countries,” the company said in a statement.
The increased security is not just limited to Europe: Australia, the US and Canada have also implemented stricter security measures for cargo coming from Europe and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
These new requirements mean freight forwarders must now provide additional information about their shipments, including proof of established business relationships, to ensure that no suspicious or unauthorised cargo is being transported.
These measures reflect the evolving nature of air cargo security – as the threat environment changes, so too must the regulations designed to protect aircraft and the people who rely on them.
However, the introduction of new rules is not without challenges; the additional information required for cargo shipments has presented practical difficulties for some forwarders, particularly in regions where supply chains are already stretched.
Ongoing investigations and future outlook
Investigations into the aforementioned incidents are ongoing, with counter-terrorism police in the UK working alongside European law enforcement partners to determine the full extent of the threat.
Thomas Haldenwang, Head of Germany’s Domestic Intelligence Service, told a parliamentary committee that the incendiary devices could easily have caused a fatal aircraft accident had they gone off during flight. Given these risks, authorities are treating the situation as a serious escalation in Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics.
In the UK, counter-terrorism police continue to search for those responsible for planting the device that ignited at DHL’s Birmingham warehouse.
Arrests are yet to be made and experts have warned further incidents could follow, particularly if the campaign is linked to state-sponsored sabotage. The European Commission is also investigating, as concerns grow over the increased frequency of incendiary devices being sent around the continent.
The incidents have raised major questions about the safety of air cargo and the potential for state actors to target civilian aircraft in the future.
Brandon points out: “If a hostile state has decided to engage in wanton destructive behaviour, we must come together in the freight industry to protect our personnel and make sure every effort is made to protect our global cargo lines.”
As the investigation continues, the air freight industry will remain on high alert, with strengthened security measures becoming the new norm for shipments across Europe.
