According to a report released by the Institute of Security Studies in late 2010, South African seaports are key points of entry into the entire Southern African region for illicit drugs and other illegally imported goods. At the same time, seaports are the lifeblood of the global economy without which international trade would ground to a halt. In fact, over 90% of Africa’s food and other integral supplies flow through seaports, the volume of which is expected to grow for the foreseeable future.
The security of these strategic infrastructure assets is therefore clearly of the utmost importance. Securing ports from threats such as terrorism, piracy, and theft at the same time as combating illicit trade, such as drugs, stolen cars, and even human beings, is an enormous challenge. Given this wide variety of security threats ports face, making sure Africa’s ports have security systems and procedures of the highest quality is critical for the continued socioeconomic development of the region.
IQPC’s 2nd Annual Seaport Security Africa conference taking place 27 – 28 September at the Southern Sun Cape Sun in Cape Town South Africa is a regional summit which brings together global experts and regional leaders to discuss effective strategies for combating the above mentioned seaport security threats and challenges.
Key speakers at the conference include Transnet Port Authority’s National Head of Security, Jabulani Moleya, who will discuss the overall strategic security situation of Africa’s ports, including the threat posed by pirates in and around the Horn of Africa. The Director General of Kenya’s Maritime Authority, Nancy Karigithu will outline the security control systems in place at Port Mombasa and will examine the importance of security in growing trade volumes. Combating stowaways and stemming illegal immigration is another key port security issue and Arshaad Fester, the Port Of Cape Town’s Security Manager will review the effectiveness of current controls measures. Captain G.L. Mokiwa, Assistant Port Manager at Tanzania’s principal port in Dar Es Salaam will discuss the Tanzania Port Master Plan and how security will be extended and integrated with port development.
