Security Threats and Vulnerabilities in Different Ports

Security Threats and Vulnerabilities in Ports
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Abstract
Ports have always acted as a crucial link to the movement of goods throughout the world. This transportation mechanism has consistently helped in sustaining global economic growth. It is generally acknowledged that a security issue at the ports, such as an attack, would have long-term economic damage to that country and its trading partners. Today’s shipping container is the main asset used to transport cargo aboard commercial shipping vessels. Criminals have taken advantage of these containers by shipping illicit drugs and contraband goods, trafficking humans, and employing weapons of mass destruction within their targets. This research employs
a case study approach by using a qualitative research method to identify and explore security issues and threats in ports. The empirical data for the study was collected using secondary sources like journal articles, books, magazines, websites, and other authentic publications. Findings show that ports are exposed to various risks and threats due to their external interactions with inland-transport carriers and sea-going vessels within maritime logistics systems.
Introduction
The rise in globalization has significantly increased the flow of people, goods, and capital across international borders. Although the activities across the international borders generate new economic opportunities, they pose increased threats to those borders (Altiok, 2011). Ports are the major entry sites of goods, which makes them highly exposed to security threats. Illegal immigration and the smuggling of goods are some of the activities that pose security risks at the ports. Terrorists, for instance, tend to look for the weakest security points at the ports, then take advantage of these security vulnerabilities to smuggle weapons and other contraband goods they use in accomplishing their mission (Bakir, 2017).
Worldwide, organized criminal groups increasingly target maritime cargoes and vessels to smuggle drugs and conduct terrorist acts. According to Bichou (2015), complex transnational security issues threaten ports and the movements of cargo in global trade. These threats include terrorism, cargo theft and fraud, piracy, smuggling of goods, and bribery and extortion (Bueger & Edmunds, 2017). Sea robbery gives a good example of the complex security issues in ports.
The nature of sea robbery calls for the inclusion of waterside and landside access to ports as security controls. However, inadequate financial resources, discrepancies in the jurisdictional authorities, and equipment problems are making it difficult for some countries to address this issue (Carpenter, 2013). A corporation from multinational governments and the international commercial maritime industry is also needed to find solutions. The global trade community and the world economy constituents must partner in this responsibility.
Research Objectives
1 To identify the security threats and vulnerabilities in ports
2 To identify the possible solutions to security threats and vulnerabilities.
Research Question
This study aims to answer the following research question: What are the security threats and vulnerabilities that occur in seaports? (2) What are the potential solutions to these threats and vulnerabilities?
Hypothesis
Ports are exposed to various risks and threats due to their external interactions with inland-transport carriers and sea-going vessels within maritime logistics systems. These interactions subject them to terrorism, theft, piracy, and trafficking.
Literature Review
Seaports are the most critical points in the global supply chain because they play a significant role in business continuity. They contribute positively to a country’s economy by facilitating trade and tourism, offering job opportunities, and supplementing the energy need (Chalk, 2018). In the US, close to 95% of overseas trade by weight and around 75% by value move through the country’s seaport (Leonard, Gallo, & Véronneau, 2015). Most vital coastal targets like petroleum tank companies and hazardous material storage facilities are situated around the ports. Several major US cities are also close to seaports and waterways (Yang, Ng, & Wang, 2012). This implies that a well-organized attack at a major US port can result in many casualties and sabotage the economy. The security issues at the ports include the following.
Terrorism
Terrorists often take advantage of ports to smuggle weapons to be used in attacks. They conceal weapons and explosives in containers and cargo ships to destroy the critical infrastructure (Yeo, Pak, & Yang, 2013). They may also cross the borders to launch attacks in the homeland. Whereas landsides have been the main targets for terrorists, evidence shows that seaborne terrorism poses a serious threat that cannot be ignored. International waters are often surrounded by terrorists, and commercial ships have virtually no protection against these threats (Yang, Ng, & Wang, 2012). Vessels are not immune to the growing maritime terrorism, as evident in the boat attack on the US naval destroyer, Cole, in 2000 (Leonard, Gallo, & Véronneau, 2015). It is even more worrying to realize that terrorists have various alternatives to sabotage international trade with comparatively less effort than in 9/11 (Chalk, 2018) as they develop maritime terrorism skills, the likelihood of conducting an attack with catastrophic effects on a country’s economic interests increases.
Illegal Human and Contraband Traffic
Most illegal businesses, including human and drug smuggling, occur at ports. This is an important security issue to consider because terrorists may use the same pathways to sneak illegal weapons into the country or deliver a dirty bomb to seaports. Research conducted by Carpenter (2013) shows that smuggling by seas is an effective and lucrative way of shipping goods from one point to another. Illicit drugs, counterfeit goods, and undocumented migrants onboard ships are being smuggled. High cases of weapons such as explosives, small firearms, anti-tank rocket launchers, light weapons, and aircraft equipment that have been smuggled through ports have also been reported (Bueger & Edmunds, 2017). Bichou (2015) postulated that the high rates of smuggling of goods and people make trafficking one of the most common security threats found in seaports and maritime domain. Some smugglers have been reported to use the proceeds from the trafficking to support terrorism.
Piracy and Armed Robbery
Piracy is re-emerging as a serious threat to hinder the conduct of international business. According to Bakir (2017), pirates have excelled in hijacking ships over the years. The threat posed by piracy and armed robbery has been on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) agenda since the early eighties. In the late nineties and early 2000, the IMO diverted its focus on the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca and Singapore (Altiok, 2011). Recently, it focused on piracy off the Somali Coast, in the Gulf Aden, and the wider Indian Ocean, where the organization is implementing a strategy for strengthening maritime security with the maritime security agreements (Carpenter, 2013). With support and cooperation from the shipping industry, the IMO developed and adapted various measures to mitigate the negative impacts posed by piracy worldwide.
Cargo Theft
Cargo theft has become a common problem in many countries. Criminals in cargo theft have been associated with transnational drug trafficking and money laundering activities (Altiok, 2011). This issue has posed a serious threat to the flow of business. In the US, for instance, losses caused by cargo theft are estimated to be more than $ 10 billion, with the value of a single cargo theft standing at an average of $500,000 Yang, Ng, and Wang (2012). Globally, the value of goods stolen in transit is estimated to be over $50 billion per year Yeo, Pak, and Yang (2013). Despite the increasing cases of cargo theft in ports, law enforcement agencies believe that half of the cases go unreported. If reported, the value of goods obtained through cargo theft may double. Sometimes, robbery forms part of the tactics used in cargo theft.
Stowaways
Stowaways also pose a security threat at the ports. They are perceived to be a potential threat for shipping firms, especially those that have been conducting business on the Coast of West Africa, Colombia, Central America, and the Dominican Republic (Bueger & Edmunds, 2017). These individuals disrupt services and cause vessel operators to lose revenue.
Research Methodology
Research Design
This research used a qualitative-case study method to identify threats and vulnerabilities in ports. A qualitative case study approach was selected because it gives a detailed analysis that provides a critical understanding of the phenomenon. It is appropriate for describing, illustrating, controlling, and predicting processes related to various phenomena at an individual, group, or organizational level (Morse & McEvoy, 2014). This method was applied to understand and interpret social action as it aims to explore, discover, and construct. Therefore, the reason for using the qualitative method is to gain a deeper understanding of people and activities.
Research Process
The diagram below shows the steps involved in the study;
Preparation Phas...