Maritime ports play a key role in national economies and are crucial for the world’s supply chains, as billions of tons of cargo move through ports every year.
If a security incident disrupts a port’s operations, the impact would be immediate and significant for vast number of ship owners, businesses and people.
Securing seaports – and especially major national ports – is challenging because they cover large areas, have multiple entry points, and they operate 24/7 and are often very busy.
Port security needs to be thorough, proactive and consistent at all times, without creating operational hurdles that would slow down port activities.
Due to the sheer quantity of goods moving in and out of ports, and the number of companies and suppliers who use it, the security solution needs to be holistic.
MER Group, which has extensive experience designing and implementing security systems for critical infrastructure sites, including airports and government buildings, has also delivered its holistic security solutions to ports in Israel and across the world.
Upgrading Greek Ports Before Olympics
Leading up to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, MER Group upgraded security systems in nine ports across Greece, including in the cities Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Igoumenítsa.
Among other ports that MER Group supported are the two main ports in Israel – Haifa and Ashdod – and the sea and fluvial port in Barranquilla, Colombia, as well as other locations worldwide.
In every port it operates, MER Group integrates the most fitting security systems and customizes them to address unique requirements. These systems are often at the core of MER’s seaport solutions:
- Perimeter Intrusion Detection System to detect intrusions with minimal false alarms and automatically record using cameras.
- Forced Entry Protection System with crash-rated automatic bollards, tire killers and under-vehicle inspection.
- License Plate Recognition (LPR) & Access Control System to identify port employees and other relevant parties.
- CCTV System and Video Analytics for surveillance of critical points and instant analysis of incidents and threats.
- Command and Control Center to enable situational awareness and full control for operators and first responders.
Secure, Reliable Communication
In addition, the MER Group interoperability system enables improved information exchange between the port’s command & control center,
vessels at sea and first responders, including police officers, firefighters and medical service providers.
Integrating the MER interoperability system in the port’s command & control platform ensures two-way communication in daily operations and during emergencies, thereby improving crisis management, security and order.
The innovative security and communication solutions implemented by MER Group enable ports to operate with more security, safety and efficiency.
