Threats to Container Ports and Preventative Security Measures

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the threats to container ports in order to determine which threats are most prominent currently and which threats are likely to be prominent in the future, as well as investigating the modern preventative security measures effectiveness in countering the identified threats. A multiple case study was conducted. Nine informants from three different regions who have experience working with security in container ports were interviewed. The threats and the security measures found from these interviews were discussed in relation to the relevant theories in the literature review. The results of this study show that smuggling is an often occurrence in the maritime industry, terrorism can cause disruptions to global trade and unauthorized access to container ports could lead to the occurrence of other threats. The trend of digitalization and automation of container ports lead to the result that cyber attacks are the most prominent future threat. The results also indicate that threats cannot be avoided completely with the existing countermeasures, they can only be mitigated. Additional literature of threats to container ports and preventative security measures are provided in this study as well as the need for awareness in these issues.