There is no current sector-specific threat information regarding the trucking industry, according to the American Trucking Associations. However, the trucking industry should maintain active vigilance because current terrorist activity continues to point to active interest in using the transportation system as a means of staging attacks. It should be noted the time between August and November has been historically the period in which most al-Qaeda-facilitated attacks have occurred, including nearly three-quarters of its major operations.
The Department of Homeland Security advised the maritime industry to be alert for possible threats to the ferry services throughout the country. Trucking interests that frequently use these conveyances should be alert to unusual activity around their vehicles during the approach to, loading, and in transit on these vessels. Immediately report any suspicions to ship's crew or ferry terminal employees.
Internationally, the bombing of the United Nations offices in Baghdad and the killing of the Shiite mullah in Najaf continue to demonstrate the interest by international terrorists in using commercial class trucks to carry out attacks. While a previously unknown group claimed responsibility for the attack on the UN building, the operation bore many of the common characteristics of al-Qaeda and would not be inconsistent with al-Qaeda's numerous manifestos identifying the UN as a target organization. This attack scenario followed a truck bomb attack on a military hospital in a Russian province August 1.
An alert regarding the need to protect driver and mechanic uniforms, credentialing, and ID materials, issued several weeks ago, should prompt companies to review their procedures in safeguarding against loss of such materials, through which infiltration or impersonation of legitimate operations could be opened to terrorists and criminal elements.