SECURITY SYSTEM INNOVATION

The advent of the so-called Smart Port has seen a commensurate rise in what can be loosely termed smart security systems designed for application in ports and terminals – some of the latest products in this category being designed to respond to the challenges of COVID-19 but also others that leverage off broad-based digital/IT system advances. But if you also want to stop a 7.5-tonne truck travelling at a speed of 80kph (50 mph) with a strong physical barrier, and one that can continue working afterwards, then this is also possible.

CAMCO

Gate security remains a primary area of port security. One example is Camco Technologies’ Truck OCR Portal, which uses a camera system to register trucks and container/semi-trailers. “Our Gate Automation Software validates the data with the Terminal Operating System (TOS) while the truck driver reaches the gate,” explains Alain Buyle, Camco Global Marketing Communications, Camco Technologies.

“At the gate, the camera matches the truck with the data from the OCR portal. The truck driver is prompted to register his ID via the truck ID card, as well as booking number. If the data is incorrect or the driver does not have a valid ID, he is refused access to the terminal.” Port security must be considered from all angles – including from below for incoming vehicles. One new Camco innovation ensures that ports and terminals can now detect anything suspicious under truck or car undercarriages: “The UVI camera enables remote, fast and safe inspection of defects and anomalies and even foreign objects or persons hiding under the truck. It can be used as a stand-alone system or integrated with a truck video gate, connecting each truck with the corresponding undercarriage,” explains Buyle.

CERTUS

Certus recently launched its ‘myHealth’ pass. This helps both port facility staff and seafarers with proof of paper-based and digitally approved COVID-19 tests. The pass can be stored via smartphone, keeping the information easily accessible and up to date. The real-time concept of an individual’s health status was introduced to ensure their safety at ports as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it can be used for other cases such as medical records and vaccines. The pass is easy to establish, with operation ready to go in an instant. It is fully automated and can be linked in with existing IT set-ups.

G4S

G4S is implementing a complete security technology solution for the Port of Rhodes, Greece, a site comprising three bordering ports (Kolones, Aggelon and Akantia) and receiving 300 cruise ships per year. The full system includes a fibre-optic network, CCTV, access control, security booths and X-ray screening. The technology takes in relevant data pertaining to passengers and vehicles entering and leaving the port. Security is raised with the aid of respective passenger barcodes and vehicle registration numbers that ensure that intruders cannot gain access.

Panos Giannakopoulos, Ports Business Development Manager, Greece, G4S, comments: “Part of our technology solution is to create a network that will connect all three ports to the central control room. This will be achieved by installing a fibre optic network. The CCTV network involves an advanced 360 degrees thermal camera to survey the waterfront, up to a range of 2km. “The whole system will be supplied, for back up purposes, from photovoltaic solar panels and generators, if there is a power failure.”

HEALD

“When it comes to port security, our most popular products are the Matador, Raptor and Viper,” says Debbie Heald MBE, Managing Director, Heald. She explains that The Matador is the world’s only sliding bollard which was developed specifically to address issues around underground infrastructure while still providing access for permitted vehicles.

Available in a range of formats, the patent-protected product is available as both a shallow mount and surface mount and can be used as either a permanent or temporary security solution. To meet the needs of locations that require wider access points, for example like an HGV, Heald has created the Matador 6.

The Matador range has been crash-tested multiple times to PAS 68 and IWA 14 standard using a variety of vehicle types and speeds. The Raptor is a patent-protected retractable security bollard that is crash tested to both PAS 68 and ASTM standards.

“It combines the high security of a road blocker with the flexibility of a shallow mount bollard and is the most resistant bollard of its type on the market due to its unique design and internal reinforcement which other bollards simply do not have,” says Heald.

The Viper is a shallow mount road blocker which due to its ingenious folding design requires a very shallow foundation depth of just 400mm. Crash tested to PAS 68 and ASTM standards, the Viper can halt a 7.5-tonne truck travelling at a speed of 80kph (50 mph) and can continue to function afterwards.

KONGSBERG NORCONTROL

Used by customers such as the Singapore Port Authority, Teesport, Gibraltar Port Authority and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Kongsberg Norcontrol’s Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) solutions help to manage secure vessel traffic at ports.

The Kongsberg Norcontrol C-Scope Port VTS System boosts security by identifying potential risks during port operations (as well as spotting possible causes of hold-ups and optimising utilisation of resources). 3D technology allows port operators to visualise possible problematic situations and allow pre-emptive steps to be taken prevent the issue(s) from occurring.

MIRA

One issue is that today there is a greater risk of threats channeled by encrypted connections, resulting in the risk of networks being infiltrated. This is a particular problem with more businesses moving to the Cloud. Mira’s Encrypted Traffic Orchestration (ETO) provides users with visibility for encrypted traffic for any security analytic tools in use, thereby detecting and rectifying possible threats.

PURE-TECH SYSTEMS

An issue with security system designs for wide area perimeters is ensuring that all potential threats can be pinpointed. A wider scale location makes it harder to determine the level of distance and pixel strength required to make an accurate camera capture. PureTech Systems’ new Design Imaging Calculator rectifies this problem by enabling special features to accurately capture details over a wide range. Parameters set by the port or terminal user include width/height image sensors, the level of lateral and vertical camera pixels, plus horizontal and vertical fields of view.

SECURICLAD

Securiclad is a high-strength security barrier that can stand up to sustained attacks from powerful tools and implements. The barrier has been awarded European EN1063 BR2 and BR3 status, which means that the material can stand up to the power of a 357 Magnum Calibre. The installation process is swift, ensuring minimum disruption to port and terminal daily routines. Securiclad is available for use in new installations and on a retrofit basis at existing sites.

SIGILPAC

One of the most reliable methods of protecting cargo from theft or the cargo accidentally escaping the container is the metal security seal. Sigilpac offers a range of metal security seals, which are claimed to have the edge over seals made from other materials such as plastic in that they are tough enough to withstand damage or accidental container opening. The Sigilpac metal seal range is used for easy and effective cargo protection. The seals have been rigorously tested for strength, achieving ISO PAS certification for maximum security.

VISY

John Lund, Senior Sales Agent, Americas, Visy, states that the best-selling Visy products are the Visy Access GOS and Visy IRIS OCR suite. The Visy Access GOS (Gate Operating System) with vision technology incorporates a wide range of data collection tools that provide customers with real time data on what is happening at a facility.

“The GOS is widely accepted as a mission critical system,” says Lund. “OCR is the most common data collection tool used with the GOS, but RFID is also very common (in fact, we use both OCR and RFID in about 80% of our systems).”

Lund states, somewhat ironically, that a common theme on how to help Visy customers is with visibility. “Of course, visibility is a pun given that we develop vision technology such as our optical character recognition (“OCR”) suite called Visy IRIS OCR.”

From a single Visy IRIS OCR portal for trucks, it is possible to relay to the operator information about containers; licence plate number; chassis/trailer ID; seal presence; hazardous goods classification; identifying marks on the truck or cargo such as tare weight or company name; plus event data including date, time and location.

The new Visy AREA system uses traditional CCTV cameras to track and trace assets in terminals. “Utilising camera video streams, Visy AREA enables the tracking and monitoring of individual vehicles within an area,” says Lund. “Vehicle locations and travel paths are plotted live on a 3D map, like Google Maps. Combining vehicle tracking with Visy OCR solutions at area entry and exit points, to capture vehicle details like licence plates, cargo details (type, container and trailer numbers, IMO labels, etc.), and anomalies such as damage, those vehicle details are available throughout the monitored area.”

WARTSILA

Wärtsilä Navi-Harbour WebVTS is a state-of-the-art software application designed to deliver greater safety for ports. It features an early warning system to avoid collisions with the offshore platforms and vessels in their vicinity.

“It works by providing remote access to Automatic Identification System (AIS) or Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) data sources to maintain constant and full situational awareness, utilising a standard Internet browser,” explains Laura Quinton, External Communications Lead, Wärtsilä Voyage. “The WebVTS decision support tools effectively mitigate potential marine hazards and risks. The application also supports navigational maps, traffic management tools, ship history, and works in various languages.”