Security and IT critical issues for dryports

“Europe is steaming ahead with these [hubs] in order to make logistics more efficient and have a more effective transport chain and reduce congestion. It is a logical step in the supply chain,” he says.

“But certain aspects haven’t yet been central to this. How do you integrate the IT systems of hinterland hubs and the sea ports they serve? How will security work – because ISPS is specifically for seaports, not inland hubs? There is also the issue of how secure can cargo be if it is transported by road, rail or water after being secured or checked at one facility or the other.”

The Haven Gateway, including the Port of Felixstowe, is a core partner in the two-year ¢4.8m ($6.7m) EU Dryport project which is considering the role that inland multimodal hubs can play in maximising the capacity and efficiency of sea ports, and their commercial, social, community and environmental benefits, including taking traffic off roads and on to rail or water.

Mr Morton, representing Dryport, highlighted the security and IT issues at a recent Port-Net event in Antwerp focusing on Hinterland Gateway Concepts.

“We all understand that multimodal hubs can ease congestion, help regulate traffic flows and save costs while also being ‘green’ and sustainable,” says Mr Morton. “But an issue not generally considered has been integration in terms of IT and security, especially matching systems between inland hubs and the sea ports they serve.”

Today’s technology means that questions like these can be tackled much more easily, he said.

“We could use track-and-trace systems to keep informed as to where our containers are; we could add devices that guarantee that a container hasn’t been opened in the transport corridor; we could use geofencing as a method of securing transport between dryport and gateway port. This is what makes the EU Dryport project attractive – we have the opportunity to try things out.”