Shipping Ministry takes security measures at Major Ports

The Shipping Minister of India, Mr T. R. Baalu, held a meeting to discuss port security at Major Ports. However, the hitch is that there are 120 non-major ports under state jurisdiction over which the Union government has no control.

According to Exim News Service, at the meeting, the Ministry decided to implement moves such as upgrading Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs), making available speedboats, bringing in more vessels under the automated surveillance systems and checking the background of contract labourers who work in ports.

The Shipping Ministry hopes that security agencies like the Coast Guard will ensure implementation of these parameters at all the non-major ports as well.

At the meeting, it was decided to bring more vessels under surveillance—vessels of over 100 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) will now have to install Automatic Identity Systems (AIS) on board.

So far, only vessels of over 300 GRT were required to install AIS.

With AIS, these vessels would come under the vessel tracking management system of ports. Most of the large fishing trawlers will be covered in over 100 GRT classification.

AIS enables ships to electronically exchange ship data, inlcuding identification, position, course and speed, with other nearby ships and vessel tracking systems.

Each port has been asked to immediately procure two speedboats for patrolling the waterfront of their respective areas of operation. The port authorities have been asked to hire speedboats till such time as they are procured.

Ports have also been asked to issue an entry pass to each labourer—after the contractor issues an undertaking that the labourer’s background has been checked.

The contractors engaged in various works (civil, construction, etc.) tend to bring in contract labourers. Till now, ports used to register the details of vehicles that brought in the labourers.

Currently, the CCTVs used by ports primarily check the area till the breakwaters. Now, the port authorities will upgrade the CCTVs to enable visibility of 2-3 km of the area stretching beyond the breakwaters.

Also, the CISF contingent for port security usually comprises constables. The Ministry has now decided to seek an additional unit of marine commandos for each port.

The Directorate-General of Shipping has been asked to undertake a special audit of port security in all the Major Ports to ensure compliance of all security measures.

Source: Portnews