MoBay Port to beef up security features
published: Friday | July 30, 2004

By Erica James-King, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

ADDITIONAL SECURITY features are to be added over the next two months at the Montego Bay Port where just over $70 million has already been spent on improving the infrastructure and security, according to Tony Bowen, manager of the port. The facility is one of 14 major ports islandwide, which met the July 1 deadline for the implementation of new standards stipulated by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

In a bid to have round-the-clock surveillance of the ports including access to gates, container stations, perimeter areas and monitoring of ships, a closed circuit TV (CCTV) security surveillance system is to be installed by the end of August.

"Some months ago fibre optic cables were laid and the security cameras for the CCTV are now being installed on the compound and the cruise ship and container terminal," said Mr. Bowen.

X-RAY MACHINE

Among the security measures put in place at the facility since March this year, are an x-ray machine known as the mobile VACIS unit which is used to scan containers used in the export and import business. This is a first for the port of Montego Bay which previously relied on manual searches of bulk cargo.

Mr. Bowen reiterated that the mobile VACIS has been a great tool in preventing contraband from entering the island. "It puts to rest the problem of mis-declaration to Customs where the manifest says one thing but the cargo reflects something different," he said. "If discrepancies come up while we are scanning, the Customs and Contraband Enforcement Team is called for an immediate on-site inspection."

Security at the port will move up a notch in September, when a new x-ray unit ­ the palate machine ­ is installed. "This is a machine similar to the mobile VACIS except that it will be housed inside the warehouse. So containers of cargo being stripped inside the warehouse piece by piece, palette by palette will actually pass through this x-ray machine, after the container was inspected by the mobile VACIS," he said.

The new security systems at the port are part of the measures being funded and spearheaded by the Port Authority of Jamaica to the tune of at least US$80 million.