The new Maritime Security Act was approved by parliament last night – 2 May. The new law imposes additional obligations on port facilities and maritime players and are yet another measure against drug crime.
A few months ago, Minister Van Tigchelt announced the creation of Portwatch, the new hotline for suspicious matters in ports. About the same time PortWatch was introduced, the minister announced an expansion of the still young Maritime Security Act in January 2023. The law amendment was supposed to be approved before the elections.
It seems the minister has kept his word. Together with the support of Annelies Verlinden, the law amendment was approved by the plenary session of parliament on Thursday evening, 2 May 2024.
Inland navigation (terminals)
The most important update is the extension of some existing measures for seaports to inland waterway facilities. For instance, inland terminals will have to maintain tighter access controls and will have to better organise and protect their IT infrastructure against unauthorised access from inside and outside. This will make it more difficult for gangs to infiltrate port companies.
From now on, it will also become easier for terminals and port companies to pre-screen people in a “critical port function” through security verification. The list of professions was recently published on the website of FPS Mobility, DG Shipping.
By the way, the Maritime Security Act does not only apply to terminals. A lot of other logistics players or supporting companies, such as shipping agents, will also have to take measures.
Port ban
The Maritime Security Act already provided for a port ban as an additional sanction for certain criminal offences. According to the minister, 180 port bans have already been issued since the Act came into existence in 2023.
The port ban was also extended. Through a special extract from the criminal record, which will be linked to port access badges and the ISPS platform, monitoring of this ban will now be made easier. Because some alternative sentences do not appear on the criminal record (e.g. for petty drug offences), an exception was made. These do appear on the special extract so that no one slips through the cracks.
Camera surveillance
The background to the update of the Maritime Security Act is not only related to drug crime. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also led to a number of concrete measures. For instance, the original 2023 Maritime Security Act already provided for additional camera surveillance at sea. That way, it was possible to better secure energy infrastructures (such as energy islands) and wind turbines at sea against attacks.
The Cameranet in the ports will now be extended and access to the images will be made easier for police, customs and defence. They will also be able to view live images, albeit under the supervision of port captains, who still play an important role in port security.