Challenges and opportunities for implementing X-ray scanning technology at the Korean hub ports

Over the last few years, a series of legislative attempts to mandate 100% scanning of cargo containers bound for the USA has pressured foreign port authorities to adopt more efficient container inspection strategies. One of such strategies includes the adoption of X‐ray scanning technology at foreign exporting port facilities which can provide clear and unobtrusive views of the contents of items hidden inside containers before they are shipped to the US destination ports. Despite numerous benefits of using X‐ray scanning technology, maritime industry sectors and port authorities still are hesitant to utilise it for a number of concerns. Those concerns include: ambiguity and costs associated with 100% container scanning policies, potential technical glitches, and logistics inefficiencies created by lengthier lead time. To address these concerns, this paper identifies a multitude of factors that may hinder the efficient use of X‐ray scanning technology in the Korean hub ports from the perspectives of carriers. Also, this paper aims to assess the spillover effects of X‐ray scanning technology adoption on port revenue.