It’s about drug smuggling, cyber attacks and drone abuse; In Belgium, all sea and inland ports are joining forces to improve security.
The ports are introducing the “Port 2 Port Security” platform together with the National Drug Commissioner’s Office. The “systematic” cooperation model is intended to promote the exchange of knowledge and the development of joint security measures, according to a joint statement.
The focus is on threats such as drug smuggling, cyber attacks and drone misuse. They see themselves in a pioneering role: “The fact that all ports and waterways in a country are joining forces at a strategic and operational level is a European first.” The Minister for Justice and the North Sea, Annelies Verlinden, took part in the official launch of the platform.
The Belgian ports are a magnet for organized crime and cross-border threats. The platform aims to facilitate the transition from individual initiatives to a coordinated strategy. The platform, which was set up by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, North Sea Port, the Coördinatie- en Steundirectie (CSD) Limburg and the National Drug Commissioner’s Office, also involves the ports of Liège, Brussels and Ostend as well as the waterway authorities in Antwerp and Flemish Brabant. The plan is to exchange expertise and develop joint security measures for the entire Belgian port network. This will enable ports to regularly exchange knowledge about inspections, access controls, security screenings, drones, AI camera surveillance, etc. In addition, the joint security culture will be improved through training and awareness-raising measures.
The cooperation is based on the ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) and the Belgian Maritime Security Act, which translates international regulations into a strengthened legal framework to combat organized crime. A recent revision of the law reportedly supports an automated, systematic approach and promotes the exchange of information between the competent authorities, with a focus on the protection of critical infrastructure, port facilities and personnel.
The initiators Port of Antwerp-Bruges, North Sea Port and CSD Limburg jointly write: “Security is the foundation of every port activity. Our ports have built up a lot of expertise over the years, which we are happy to share with others. At the same time, we are convinced that innovation can only really progress through collaboration. With the Port 2 Port Security Platform, we are combining our individual strengths into a collective force – to stay one step ahead of criminals and further strengthen the security of people, infrastructure and the economy. ”
Ine Van Wymersch of the National Drug Commissioner’s Office emphasized: “Sharing knowledge and expertise across all Belgian ports means that we concretely promote collective resilience against organized crime and undermining. An important effect of this cooperation is the prevention of displacement effects. An initiative that comes from both public and private partners also shows the importance of this topic: ‘security through resilience’ is high on the agenda of the entire port community.”
