Threats

Common Threats within the Maritime Industry

Illegal access to the port facility can allow the theft of personal effects from those who work in the facility (port employees, stevedores, etc), money, mobile phones and other electronic devices, identity cards, etc. But also the theft of equipment, port documents and dangerous goods within the port. This last threat negatively influences the reputation of the port facility and impacts the choices of the entire port area.

Stowaways

As reported in the Exercitium, illegal immigrants try to board a ship to reach the country "of their dreams". When a stowaway is found aboard a ship, the shipping company operating that ship will be held liable. The port facility must ensure vigilance during loading operations with ships susceptible to such illegal actions.

Smuggling

The port facility may eventually be used to unload or transport illicit drugs, illegal goods or weapons. Terrorist organisations often use the shipping industry to transport illegal substances with the related involvement of port facilities. Careful access control of port facilities is the best deterrent to this type of threat. Furthermore, smuggling is an activity that affects the facility much more than the ship, negatively impacting the port's reputation.

Sabotage

Any action taken by a person or group to damage the port facility is considered. The threat could come from a disgruntled member of a person as a subcontractor. From the inside, they could access systems or become aware of procedures used for subsequent illegal activities. Furthermore, terrorists could use a port facility as a base to carry out a raid on a ship or other port facility considered more sensitive.

Terrorism 

Terrorism was the triggering threat of the need to improve security activities to create a widespread system of deterrence against intentional unlawful acts. Terrorism uses or intends to carry out violence against persons or property for ideological or political ends, precisely generating fear or terror in society.

There are countless definitions of terrorism. Terrorism is a potential threat to the maritime sector, as ships and port facilities can be used to:

• Hide the explosives in the cargo;
• Smuggling of terrorists and or weapons to the designated target;
• To cause economic and or environmental damage to port facilities;
• Take hostages;
• Serve as a diversion for a target in another location;
• To steal dangerous goods for the production of improvised explosives.

All the mentioned above threats also bring with them acts of aggression, vandalism and/or intimidation.

Why are ships and port facilities sensitive to criminal activity?  - The global impact of maritime transport and the immense amount of goods and people handled continuously are very attractive targets for criminal activities and at the same time, for possible acts of terrorism.

As reported in the Handbook called the Exercitium, port facilities, even adequately secured as defined by the legislation, are large surfaces in which a large number of goods and people move. Port facilities and ships can be seen as symbols of important global business and as such, constitute a possible target. Not all packages are checked, neither on departure nor on arrival.

It means any object that can be used as a material means of offence or defence' by a weapon. The notion certainly includes both objects functionally dedicated to the offence (or defence)and those that have a different destination but are capable of constituting, on occasion, an instrument of crime.

The term weapon often refers to the proper weapon and the improvised weapon. Although the term is the same, there is a distinction between the two weapon types. Strictly speaking, it refers to objects properly manufactured to offend someone or something. In a broad sense, we mean anything manufactured with different intentions but which has become, by the user's will, an instrument of crime.

About weapons, laws and regulations concerning the carriage of weapons are very strict. In the majority of cases, a license is needed by the owner and some automatic weapons are forbidden. In most countries, only the police, the military and some private security (i.e. money transport) are allowed to carry a weapon. In any case, port facility security personnel need to ask at the PFSO which laws are applicable. People who do not belong to one of the above may pose a threat. Weapons include firearms, automatic weapons, handguns, knives, daggers, throwing stars and explosives (grenades, etc).

Techniques for Circumventing Security Measures

Criminals or terrorists will try to evade security measures to carry out their malicious intent. Among the behaviours that we can identify as threatening for a port facility, we shall consider:

Use a wide-angle mirror to check for objects. People reporting at the gate when entering the facility sometimes leave objects behind, out of absent-mindedness. But in some cases, objects may be left behind deliberately!
It Should be second nature for the security guard or porter to check for such objects. A wide-angle mirror is a very useful tool for detecting objects that may or may not be suspicious.

What Can the Port Facility Personnel Do? 

They must report failures to safety equipment for any gates, fences, CCTV cameras, immediately to the PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer). He is responsible for the proper maintenance and repair of this equipment. Recognise suspicious or threatening situations and report them to the PFSO. Avoid illegal access to the facility by keeping doors and gates locked when not in use. Don't hesitate to ask for the PFSO clarifications and more information.

Watch Out for Unattended Vehicles or Packages

Be alert and on the lookout! If you notice an object or vehicle that seems out of place in your workplace or work environment, report it to the security staff or PFSO. In most cases, the object or vehicle will not pose any threat, but a healthy dose of awareness – without being paranoid – is always a good thing.