U.S. Navy switches to single custom proprietary container lock from Gabriel

What with the firestorm over the deal to hand over operations in twenty-one U.S. ports (yes, twenty-one ports, not six as has been mentioned in the press) to Dubai Ports World, it is good to see that measures are being taken to make cargo containers less vulnerable to tampering regardless of who runs port operations. Omaha, Nebraska-based Gabriel Technologies (OTCBB: GWLK), a developer of physical locking systems, wireless biometric security products, and GPS tracking services, said it will deploy its custom proprietary locking system with the U.S. Navy beginning on 1 April 2006. The Department of the Navy has placed an order with Gabriel for a custom-built locking system. The custom-designed locking system secures various types of shipping containers with a single locking design, thus reducing the potential of security errors when using multiple non-proprietary locks, keys, and cables. Keith Feilmeier, Gabriel’s CEO, says: “Part of the specification for this custom lock was that it would be very difficult to tamper with. The barrier box will be highly resistant to intrusion devices so that a bolt cutter cannot violate the integrity of the lock or the contents within the container. Since many of the loads shipped worldwide by the Departments of Defense (DoD) are made up of high-value, explosive materials and other finished goods, it is logical to keep the security process as simple as possible. The Navy’s decision to switch to a single custom proprietary lock for all container types will reduce the margin of error associated in the proper securing of cargo and make security inspections easier.

-read more about Gabriel’s seals at company Web site