Port Secutiry - Executive Summary

Prior to 11 September 2001, the Western nations, and Canada in particular, perceived security issues as: criminal activity, appropriately countered through industrial security precautions and law enforcement functions, and military threats addressed through the domain of national defence. This simplistic and discrete consideration has evolved into a more realistic and comprehensive approach to national security in which there is a recognized, continuous spectrum of risk to good order, from low-grade pilfering to international hostilities, with terrorism, illegal immigration, smuggling and general commercial disruption all contained therein.

In response to this new perception of national security, the Government of Canada has made several commitments to fund new security initiatives, issued the first National Security Policy and re-organised departmental responsibilities to address the new security environment. The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness was formed to coordinate overall government monitoring and response. Transport Canada has retained responsibility for maritime security policy. A foundation for the marine security policy is the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, accommodated in Canada as the Maritime Transportation Security Regulations, promulgated under the Marine Transportation Security Act.

The economic well-being of our regional ports depends upon transhipment to the United States of America (USA). To retain this business and to demonstrate due diligence in the case of a potential disaster, the security of Canada’s regional ports must be maintained to the highest possible standard. It is also clear that the regulatory framework will continue to become more rigorous over time. Equally to retain the lucrative cruise ship business, the security of all terminals that share in this enterprise must also be guaranteed.

The objective of this paper is to identify industrial opportunities for small and medium enterprises emerging from the new port security environment. The authors have taken a broad view of port security to include monitoring and response capability in the marine approaches to Canada. Port security to be effective begins when a vessel leaves its previous port of call.

To ensure a complete understanding of marine and port security issues, this report includes a summary of important government decisions in defining the maritime security goals, an examination of the basic tenets of effective security measures and a proposal for an integrated marine security model. The model is used as the vehicle for revealing areas of current industrial activity and exploring potential areas that warrant research and development initiative.

The conclusion of this paper demonstrates that there are many significant opportunities for small and medium enterprises, and it is suggested that technology demonstrators are a useful mechanism for addressing security requirements and supporting the development of new technologies and services as well as showcasing them for export potential. These opportunities cover every category of enterprise from sensors and detectors, information management, security services, training, communications and the integration of many of these individual components into a security system.

For a copy of the study please contact: The Maritime Awards Society of Canada

Annex - British Columbia

Annex - Maritime