On January 24th, 2024, FEPORT was among the organizations invited to participate to the Ministerial launch event of the European Ports Alliance Public Private Partnership to fight organized crime and drug trafficking.
The event held in Antwerp in the impressive Port Authority building was co-organized by the EU Commission and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. It gathered Member States, port authorities, private port operators, European associations, EU Agencies (Europol, EMCDDA) and representatives from customs and law enforcement authorities.
As crucial gateways for global trade, ports are targeted by drug traffickers seeking to smuggle illicit substances across borders. The European Ports Alliance aims to play a pivotal role in combating drug trafficking, leveraging the collective resources and expertise of multiple stakeholders to enhance security measures and enforce stringent controls within port facilities.
Recognizing this threat, private port operators are certainly committed to supporting the objectives of the European Ports Alliance and share their expertise and experience.
The European Port Alliance as a Public Private Partnership will be able to defeat criminal networks if the private sector’s role in ports is recognized and if private companies and terminals are not just requested to implement decisions but are fully involved in upstream discussions.
It will be fundamental to avoid a top-down method conceived without having private port operators around the table. There are already a lot of ongoing public-private projects focusing on screening, intelligent cameras, virtual fences, port workers identity checks etc… They deserve to be known and, in some instances, to be replicated.
The role of private port operators and terminals already extends beyond mere operational functions; they serve as frontline defenders implementing robust security protocols, cooperating with customs authorities when inspectors realize their tasks at terminals. By investing in state-of-the-art surveillance systems, and training personnel in recognizing suspicious activities, private port operators have been contributing significantly to the overarching goal of disrupting drug trafficking networks and preventing the proliferation of narcotics.
However, as discussed during the Ministerial launch event of the European Ports Alliance in Antwerp last week, we are reaching a situation where criminal networks are using extreme violence, corruption and intimidation that require exceptional mobilization from public and private stakeholders in ports, national authorities, and law enforcement agencies. Seizures of cocaine in the EU have reached record levels, with more than 300 tonnes seized on an annual basis in recent years.
It will also be essential to foster international cooperation as drugs come from other regions in the world. We should also be aware that the creativity on the side of drug traffickers is huge and that it is going to be a race, a long marathon.
FEPORT members are supporters of the European Ports Alliance and are fully committed to cooperating with all parties. We look forward to continuing the work to defeat criminal networks which threaten the stability and health of our societies and the future of our children.
Source: FEPORT