TKH Security Solutions' IProtect Manages Security At MSC Home Terminal Antwerp

iProtect™ is modular, scalable, and easy to expand

Modern port organizations

Security and safety are the order of the day at port organizations today, especially after the implementation of the ISPS code. The EU Port Directive means that matters of security are now more important than ever. The MSC HT (about 50% MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) and 50% PSA/HNN (Port Singapore Authority / Hesse Noordnatie) in Antwerp have also undergone many changes with respect to access control, visitor registration, and video surveillance. TKH Security Solutions not only offered a helping hand in converting the total area, which was accessible to the public, into a private site, but also assisted in the complex logistical cargo transportation process.

MSC Home Terminal

MSC HT is a container terminal. Every day a wide range of shipments in containers arrive at its two-kilometre quay. The containers are then divided among various means of transport, such as lorries, inland vessels, and transport trains. The productivity and capacity of a terminal is crucial to its success. MSC’s capacity for up to 3.6 million TEUs means that it is highly successful. Previously, this MSC site was not fenced off from the public road. Anyone could enter the buildings and access the quay freely. When the ISPS was implemented, MSC HT had to consider this matter carefully, as it is regularly confronted with various groups of ‘visitors’ and complicated measures needed to be taken as a result.

Integrated system, optimum security

MSC HT chose an integrated solution for access control, visitor registration, and video surveillance: the iProtect™ Security Management System. iProtect™ helps control and manage access via the barriers, speed gates, and turnstiles. A range of pillars fitted with access control readers and cameras have also been placed at the entrances to the buildings.

The lorry gates are also secured. The access card with which drivers gain access to the site is also used for administration and technical registration.

Staff and visitors

The iProtect security management system is managed by the MSC HT's IT department

MSC HT is visited by various large groups of people, first and foremost its own staff, who must be granted access to the site and predefined areas. All Antwerp port staff use the Alfapass card.

Pillars fitted with access control readers, cameras, and intercoms have been placed at the entrances to the site, where staff insert their cards. The intercom and cameras allow visitors to check in and for their identities to be verified. Visitors must first report to the main office and provide proof of identification, where they will receive a temporary access card. This card will be swallowed by an insertion reader at the exit gate.

Lorry drivers

The next group consists of the lorry drivers who collect the containers. Many of them already have an Alfapass card, but if this is not the case, they must check in. Before entering the site, the drivers check in at a registration office where they insert their Alfapass card or visitor’s card into a reader. By doing so, they register their identity and the containers they are collecting in a central database. They are then told which gate to go to. Subsequently, they leave for the lorry entrance with their Alfapass card or guest card in order to check in at the allocated gate using the card.

Security and safety

The strict requirements that apply to operations do not only relate to security. Safety is also extremely important at MSC HT. On the quays in particular, where ships are unloaded and the containers are transported to all the storage depots, the safety of staff and visitors is the order of the day.

Management

The iProtect™ Security Management System is managed by the MSC HT’s IT department. This department started and conducted the project. The technical department was responsible for the installation of the system.

Future-proof

With iProtect™ Security Management System, MSC HT has opted for a future-proof security management system. This is important for this dynamic organization, which - given the growing productivity – is definitely set to expand. Furthermore, the EU Port Directive will also bring with it the necessary measures. These important European port security guidelines extend beyond the ISPS code and call for yet more (electronic) security measures. If port installations decide to comply with this EU Port Directive, it will provide them with enormous improvements in efficiency and reduce the amount of time lost during the logistical process. Whatever the future may bring, iProtect™ is modular, scalable, and easy to expand. MSC Home Terminal is therefore guaranteed a well-secured future!