Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is donating an R-VACIS (Rail Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System) Integrated Rail 6500 setup to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for a border security initiative “that increases the security of growing trade by rail between the United States and Mexico” at the Laredo Rail Port of Entry in Laredo, Tex.
The VACIS equipment, donated to CBP under the federal agency’s Donations Acceptance Program, will allow CBP to scan and adjudicate cargo entering and exiting the U.S. The system features an Exploranium SRPM-210 radiation portal monitor that detects, locates and categorizes radiation threats and expedites inspections, allowing for 100% scans of all trains traveling through the Port.
CPKC submitted a formal proposal under the CBP Donations Acceptance Program in November 2024 to donate the equipment. The Donation Acceptance Agreement was executed in December 2024, “making it one of the program’s fastest agreements to date,” CBP said. This VACIS is now operational on the expanded double-track Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge connecting Laredo to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
“We are committed to the safety and security of goods moving by rail across the U.S.-Mexico border,” said James Clements, Executive Vice President Strategic Planning and Corporate Services, CPKC. “This equipment, funded by CPKC and donated to CBP, is a key component in our industry-best secure international trade rail corridor between the United States and its largest trading partner, Mexico.”
“CBP is pleased to announce a partnership with the Canadian Pacific Kansas City,” said Diane J. Sabatino, CBP Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations. “ This partnership will increase lawful trade and travel by rail between the U.S. and Mexico.”
CBP added that “pursuant to 6 U.S.C. § 301a, and more generally, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. §§ 112 et seq., as amended, CBP and GSA are authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations) and non-personal services from private sector and government entities. Accepted donations may be used for port-of-entry construction, alterations, operations, and maintenance activities. Public-private partnerships are a key component of CBP’s Resource Optimization Strategy and allow CBP to provide new or expanded services and infrastructure at domestic ports of entry.”
