JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Landstar System, Inc. (Nasdaq: LSTR), a safety-first, non-asset-based provider of transportation capacity, announced today the certification of its operating companies to the supply chain security initiatives C-TPAT, FAST and PIP.

Anti-terrorism efforts by the United States and Canada are affecting the movement of cargo -- truck, air, rail and sea; country, cross-border and cross-continent. Both countries have enacted initiatives to enhance border security and, at the same time, ensure the smooth flow of trade.

Free and Secure Trade, or FAST, is a joint U.S.-Canadian program designed to improve security at the U.S.-Canadian border through data collection and sharing of information between U.S. Customs and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA). Carriers certified to the program are eligible for faster cargo processing at the border. All operating companies in the Landstar Carrier Group and Landstar Express America are FAST certified.

C-TPAT, or the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, is a voluntary initiative between the U.S. Customs Service, importers, exporters and carriers to tighten security along the entire supply chain. Landstar Logistics, Landstar Express America and Landstar's Carrier Group are all participants in C-TPAT.

C-TPAT members and their business partners are required to develop security procedures and submit a security profile to U.S. Customs Border Protection. In return, C-TPAT members, like Landstar, are eligible for expedited processing at borders.

Landstar's Carrier Group and Landstar Express America are also part of PIP -- Partners In Protection -- Canada's version of C-TPAT, administered by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Like C-TPAT, companies are required to self-assess security in order to enter the FAST program and be eligible for expedited processing of freight into Canada.

In addition to securing our borders against terrorism, C-TPAT, FAST and PIP provide important benefits for Landstar customers -- fewer customs inspections, timely deliveries, less risk of theft, and hopefully, safer communities in which we all can live.

"Landstar chose to participate in the C-TPAT initiative for two fundamental reasons. First, we want to protect the lives and the economy of Americans," said Landstar Chief Compliance and Security Officer Joe Beacom. "We also want to meet customer demand for transportation providers that secure their supply chain during normal times and ensure reliability under conditions of high alert when non-C-TPAT carriers may not be allowed to operate freely."

For more details, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site at www.cbp.gov/ or the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency web site at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca.

Landstar System, Inc. is a non-asset-based provider of transportation capacity delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers throughout North America. The company identifies and fulfills shippers' needs through the coordination of individual businesses comprised of independent sales agents, business capacity owners, and other transportation capacity providers. The term "business capacity owner" refers to Landstar's independent contractors who operate a small business and provide the equipment necessary to haul freight.

Landstar's Carrier Group is comprised of Landstar Gemini, Inc.; Landstar Inway, Inc.; Landstar Ligon, Inc. and Landstar Ranger, Inc. and delivers excellence in complete over-the-road transportation services. Landstar's multimodal group, comprised of Landstar Express America, Inc. and Landstar Logistics, Inc., provides expedited, contract logistics and intermodal transportation services. All Landstar operating companies are certified to ISO 9001:2000 quality management system standards. Landstar System, Inc.'s common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol LSTR.

SOURCE Landstar System, Inc.