Gallagher PowerFence system secures Ports of Auckland
A key factor in the decision to install a PowerFence system was that it is an intelligent system; it consists of independent fence zones which can be uniquely identified to accurately detect attack attempts to facilitate a fast appropriate response
The protection of an airport’s perimeter is not different from the protection of the perimeter of a sea port. We should look, therefore, at the Ports of Auckland, which takes security very seriously, particularly in the face of heightened international security risk.
Ports all around the world are implementing tighter security measures to safeguard trade and tourism, port staff, port users, and local communities from terrorism and trans-national crime. Ports of Auckland is no exception. As part of a program of increased security measures, Ports of Auckland upgraded their perimeter security with the installation of a PowerFence system from Gallagher Security Management Systems, a division of the Gallagher Group.
Ports of Auckland
Formed in 1988, Ports of Auckland (POAL) provides shipping links to 164 ports in 67 countries. This port is not only New Zealand’s largest trade gateway; it is also the country’s major hub port and biggest general cargo port handling more than 840,000 20-foot container units (TEU) annually.
SourceSecurity.com reports that the port handles 48 percent of the North Island container trade and 36 percent of New Zealand’s total container trade. In terms of New Zealand’s total trade by value, 50 percent of imports and 24 percent of exports go through the port. Overall, POAL handles 35 percent of New Zealand’s total annual trade by value — the equivalent of 13 percent of annual GDP.
In response to the need for tighter security measures, the International Ship and Port Security Facility (ISPS) Code and the New Zealand Maritime Security Act came into effect in 2004. The New Zealand government-appointed regulatory body, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ), verified that POAL is compliant with these national and international security requirements as at June 2004.
In fact, the Port exceeded MNZ’s expectations in developing and implementing its security plan. The feedback from MNZ commended POAL’s strong and professional focus to security, and their proactive and very detailed approach to the task.
Mike Gladman, port security manager, comments: “Gaining compliance (with the 2004 maritime security regulations) was a huge operation for Ports of Auckland. We spent in excess of NZ$1 million strengthening border security management. We put in place new port access systems, new photo identity cards, upgraded four kilometers of perimeter fencing and significantly improved our electronic surveillance systems.”
The perimeter security system had to meet a number of criteria. It had to:
- Satisfy MNZ that it detects and deters criminal entry
- Satisfy the Operations Managers that the system was safe for staff and visitors
- Be
