Last week saw the roll-out by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) of a state-of-the-art port security system valued at R843 million.
“CCTV is just one aspect of our broader integrated technological security system which encompasses technology, skills, systems and procedures,” says Phumuzi Sigasa, head of TNPA’s port security portfolio
"The CCTV system will be integrated between all port sites and the head office to give a bird’s eye view of the port security environment. It comprises 2100 high-definition cameras across the various sites – more than double the previous 864 – as well as long-range cameras to monitor all port channel entrances and outer anchorages.”
The newly renovated control room located at the Port of Durban was the first to go live on February 12. State-of-the-art video walls provide added visibility across the port while vehicle security within the port perimeters will also be enhanced through licence plate recognition, says Sigasa.
“The system will also facilitate increased night visibility through thermal imaging that can detect heat emitted by objects or bodies, especially in low visibility areas and through smoke, fog and haze.”
According to Sigasa some of the most common security incidents in South African ports include stowaways, theft of cargo and damage or theft of assets owned by Transnet and other port users.
“The National Ports Act 12 of 2005 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code of 2004 dictate that we as a port authority implement measures to assist in detecting security threats and take preventative measures against security incidents that may affect ships or port facilities used in international trade,” says Richard Vallihu, chief executive at TNPA.
