U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced a new agreement with the European Union to increase screening of shipping containers before they are sent to U.S. ports.

The agreement includes the creation of an information exchange network, an agreement on minimum requirements that European ports must meet to participate in the U.S. Container Security Initiative and other security standards.

In addition, the United States and European Union will set up a panel of experts to explore new technologies that they can use to increase efficiency and improve security in shipping.