Security Management of Commercial Ports

Defence ports are among the most secure locations in any country. Rightfully so, they are home to a nation’s naval vessels, defence armaments, offices, and personnel. They are guarded around the clock by well-trained forces using sophisticated surveillance equipment and weapons.

What about commercial ports? Do they require security? With billions of dollars worth of goods flowing through such ports annually, the answer is yes. Commercial ports are the gateway to a nation and its supply chain. They are spread over vast areas, and the need for safety and security is as important.

Modern commercial seaports of developed nations channel a majority of the country’s trade flow – both exports and imports, besides catering to passenger traffic. The global economy is dependent on safe and secure commercial ports.

Port security is a subset of overall maritime security that is concerned with the security of vessels on high seas.

Port security is often viewed as mainly controlling the risks within the immediate port premises. However, in most cases, it also covers the coastal area around the seaport. Trespassing and accessing restricted areas within ports is the most common offence.

Goods stored within warehouses located inside a port are often subject to theft or pilferage. Well-planned data thefts, piracies, sabotage, smuggling, terrorism, human as well as drug trafficking, and incidents of vandalism are carried out by criminals.

Cyberattacks pose serious threats to a port. Hackers can cripple the activities of the seaport, cause widespread destruction, and steal critical data using malware.

Therefore, a robust system of physical as well as software security is necessary to prevent such incidents. An efficient security setup not only ensures protection from such threats but also compliance with port regulations.

With a burgeoning global economy, the demand for services from the Customs, security, and immigration departments has increased manifold. The number of people who travel has increased drastically. Contraband and human smuggling pose a huge challenge to our customs and security forces.

Human smuggling is the reason for several deaths and human rights violations, especially in the case of people trying to escape violence, war, and poverty in their own countries. Smugglers come out with novel ways to beat the law and that makes it difficult for security agencies to catch the perpetrators of these crimes.

Some nations have come to recognize the Customs, security, and immigration departments as part of their port security apparatus.

The Role of Customs Department

The primary role of any Customs department is to collect duties on imports and exports in accordance with the country’s Customs Tariff Act. The department enforces prohibitions and restrictions on the import and export of goods according to the laws passed in that country as well as various international Customs Conventions and procedures.

The Customs department of a country works to prevent the smuggling of contraband, drugs, and humans. The World Customs Organization (WCO), headquartered in Brussels, is an intergovernmental agency that publishes the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE). This non-binding document provides guidelines and standards for member nations to meet various customs security functions. The latest edition of the SAFE document was published in 2021.

Port Security

Commercial ports spread over very large areas often have incidents of trespassing, vandalism, pilferage, and theft. The seaport security force provides protection from such illegal activities and terrorism. The port security is often assisted by the country’s Coast Guard in enforcing security from the seaside.

They work together to avoid or mitigate dangers caused by natural disasters such as those caused by storms or floods. It works in tandem with various other enforcement departments to ensure the safety and security of a commercial port.

Besides security guards patrolling the port waters and premises, port security these days uses the latest technology and software with sophisticated pattern-recognizing algorithms to deter and identify crime within and around the port premises. It includes the use of biometric scanners for access, robots to tackle dangerous situations, sensors to track the movement of people and goods, radar to monitor seaside traffic, sonar to detect underwater disturbances, etc.

Besides security guards, some ports use uncrewed patrolling crafts to monitor and safeguard the waters.

The Immigration Department

The Immigration Department controls the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners to that country. They screen entries and exits at the various ports and issue visas and immigration permits to visitors. The Immigration Department plays a major role in deterring illegal immigration, smuggling, and terrorism.

Port Cyber Security

Port cyber security involves protecting the seaport software systems from malicious attacks, commonly known as hacking. Using malware, phishing, spoofing, or code injection, cybercriminals can access the port’s digital infrastructure and wreak havoc on seaport systems.

Hacking often results in data corruption, data theft, data blockage, and data overload leading to disruption in systems and activities either complete or partial. For instance, explosives and toxic goods must be stored within a specified temperature and humidity range. Hackers may remotely alter the storage conditions of such goods, causing widespread loss of life and property.

Cyber security experts use a combination of firewalls, antivirus tools, malware detection software, air-gapping of critical infrastructure, etc. to prevent cyberattacks.

Other Areas of Commercial Port Security

A commercial port’s security department ensures that the handling and storage of dangerous cargo are carried out following safe methods. While the consignor has the primary responsibility to classify their cargo and determine if it comes under dangerous goods as prescribed by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code, maritime workers are responsible for the handling of such cargo.

It is the responsibility of the port security to ensure the safety of personnel, environmental safety, safe docking of vessels, etc.

Transportation and storage of hazardous and dangerous goods through seaports involve the risk of contamination, pollution, fire, explosion, radioactive hazards, etc. Such goods have to be handled properly following prescribed safety methods. Most commercial ports have a separate safety division that works to identify such threats and prevent, mitigate, or minimize accidents caused by dangerous or hazardous cargo.

Pollution by discharging toxic substances and other pollutants into the sea or ocean is another menace. It ranges from oil discharge to industrial waste to sewage and plastics.

Major accidents such as those caused by gas leaks from tankers or oil storage depots, spillage of corrosive agents, or other contaminants can compromise the health and safety of the personnel working in the seaport as well as those who live in the vicinity of the port. It can also affect the ecosystem.

Ships may be docked for loading, unloading, repairs, or maintenance. It has to be safely directed through the appropriate water channels and the traffic of other ocean vessels in the port. A harbour pilot is responsible for guiding large ships into the port pier safely. Harbor pilots are mostly employed by a port though some ports may use contractors for this purpose.

In many ways, port security ensures that the trade treaties entered into with other countries are enforced and maintained.

While most nations entrust the security of their seaports to a certain wing of their country’s security forces, these days, some countries give this responsibility fully or partially to private players.

You might also like to read-

• What Are Different Types of Ports For Ships?
• What Are Smart Port Technologies?
• Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bigger Vessels For Port And Terminal Operators
• The Importance of Port Security

About Author

Hari Menon is a Freelance writer with close to 20 years of professional experience in Logistics, Warehousing, Supply chain, and Contracts administration. An avid fitness freak, and bibliophile, he loves travelling too.

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