East London pilots CCTV security system

THE PORT of East London has become the guinea pig for a new series of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras which the National Ports Authority (NPA) will install nationwide.
They form part of NPA’s compliance with the requirements of the ISPS international maritime security code, says spokesman Donald Kau.
“We had 109 cameras installed in East London during December 2003,” he says. “The system cost R15million, and is designed from the best equipment available on the international market.
“As a safeguard, the system runs on its own network and cannot be infiltrated externally. All people working on it are fully trained and security cleared.”
East London was selected for the pilot programme not only because it is the smallest active harbour in the country but also because of the hi-tech goods moving in and out, including the volume of new vehicles housed in the country’s only wharf side car terminal.
“The NPA is confident that its infrastructure upgrade initiatives are on track for a better and more secure port system,” says Kau.