Cover Image Credits: World Ports Conference 8-10 October 2024, Richard Langdon
At this year’s IAPH World Ports Conference, several pertinent matters regarding shipping were covered, among them was illicit trade.
In taking steps to combat illicit trade, figureheads of the session called for a concerted effort involving not only port personnel but government officials, law enforcement and the greater society at large to mobilise against illicit trade.
Niels Vanlaer, Harbour Safety and Security Manager Port of Antwerp-Bruges, stressed that the pervasiveness of illicit trade reaches beyond the world of shipping: “Illicit trade is a societal problem, everyone suffers.”
He explained that ports, due to their logistical nature, are prime targets for criminal activity: “The modus operandi of cocaine traffickers mirrors the handling of legal goods, using ships to smuggle items in and out of containers, only with illicit cargo.”
This underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive approach to combat the issue.
Among the most significant implications arising from illicit trade is its corrosive effect on trust within the social network of a port, said Vanlaer.
Criminals undermine the community building of a port, distorting workers’ capacity to prepare and identify criminal patterns as they arise. Information flow throughout a port is tampered with, thereby brewing internal mistrust. The legitimacy and reputation of a port consequently take a hit, which translates economically to becoming less viable for investment purposes, while shocking a port’s recruitment opportunities.
“The solution is to build a strong community by improving communication with customs officers, police forces, and public prosecutors,” stressed Vanlaer.
“Understand the data they need and find ways to provide it, enabling them to effectively do their jobs and fight crime.”
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Chris Trelawny, Deputy Secretary General, INTERPORTPOLICE, spoke on the challenges and limitations of the global regulatory framework, particularly in the context of customs and border control.
He argued that the framework can only be leveraged if codified through national legislation. In this sense, without putting ‘pen to paper’, the framework will continue to serve as no more than a guideline.
At a more practical, ground-level basis, Trelawny called for a shift in focus from reactive enforcement (at ports of entry) to proactive prevention (at points of departure).
To be effective, better cooperation between customs and the shipping industry must become common practice in order to implement strategies, such as conducting underwater inspections and improving intelligence gathering to prevent criminal participants from leaving ports. This will require more operational collaboration between different entities.
“It’s the International Maritime Organization. Maritime includes ports. It’s not just about ships,” said Trelawny.
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The dichotomous, and somewhat reductive, ‘us versus them’ attitude toward those seemingly complicit in illicit trade not only contributes to the false arrest of seafarers but also exposes them to greater vulnerability. Trelawny thus called for a multi-layered approach to better protect seafarers. Seafarers should receive clear guidance on safe behaviour and have a way to report concerns without fear of penalty. Companies need to support seafarers, especially if they face legal issues, by providing adequate advice and ensuring stronger port enforcement.
Trelawny mentioned several practical applications that could also be implemented. Better security procedures, such as following the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, can benefit in combatting drug trafficking. Effective protection involves risk assessment, understanding threats, and implementing preventive measures. This includes collaboration between ports, better access control, intelligence sharing, and conducting underwater inspections.
A key part of this strategy is interagency cooperation – national maritime security committees and other relevant organisations need to work together and exchange information. Expanding the use of security frameworks to other forms of organised crime and promoting community engagement, where people can report suspicious activity, is essential.
