For maritime terminals it is of the utmost importance to control the security of their facilities and in this they invest resources to safeguard not only the port infrastructure, but also the integrity of those who work there and the merchandise they house.
Studies of the port sector highlight that developing nations are the most vulnerable to criminal acts in ports.
Incidents such as piracy, intrusion or illicit drug trafficking are crimes to which ports around the world are exposed; so critical is the situation that maritime terminals such as Libya, in Africa, have been the scene of terrorist attacks. Another example of this situation is the one that occurred in the port of Bahía Portete (Guajira – Colombia), where in May 2015 the continuous theft of the signaling system for the security of the terminal was reported.
To face this type of situation, the port authorities of the world have opted for different strategies, among which is the investment in access control technology.
When APM Terminals Callao received the concession of the Multipurpose North Terminal of the Port of Callao (Peru), the entry controls and the registration of activities were carried out manually, which reduced the objectivity and effectiveness of the processes and controls.
To improve this situation, APM Terminals Callao decided to invest in new access control equipment. This measure was originally taken as part of the application of the processes of reengineering and auditing of standards -seeking continuous improvement with modernity, objectivity, efficiency, speed- and with the need to verify if the process managed was adequate and the most effective, with a clear focus on the client and cost reduction. It should be noted that the initial phase of this project was activated in 2013.
With this improvement project, it was sought to make access more orderly, have greater control, generate a registry, eradicate impersonations, avoid conflicts between security personnel and users, and have a more objective and clean access process.
To achieve these objectives, APM Terminals Callao opted for the solutions of the Dutch company Boon Edam, specifically its turnstiles for access control. According to spokespersons of the terminal, they were inclined to the proposal of this company because it is a more efficient system in the control of the flow of visitors, because it allows an adequate digital and video recording, and because it offers a much more robust structure.
Among the control equipment that was installed in the North Terminal are biometric systems, electronic vehicle access barriers, visit management module, software with registration and access control of personnel with multiple functionalities such as automatic locks and anti-passback systems (the user can leave, only if he has registered his entry), among others. The contracted system, which operates 24 hours a day, responds to the high traffic presented by this Peruvian terminal.
For this terminal, the success of a security system lies in the constant search for process automation based on an adequate analysis of risk management and sense of prevention.
Looking to the future and taking into account that security is a variable issue and that it must be under permanent review, APM Terminals Callao ensures that the projects they undertake will depend on risk matrices, standards audits and process reengineering, depending on external threats, internal or the combination of both, always seeking to offer the most appropriate environment for the terminal to operate under the highest security parameters.
