The Vancouver Port Authority is committed to the safe and efficient movement of goods and passengers through the Port of Vancouver. With security measures that meet or exceed North American standards, the Port of Vancouver has a well-earned reputation as a secure, safe and dependable place to do business. The Port of Vancouver continues to undertake several initiatives and programs to implement innovative security solutions that safeguard and enhance the movement of cargo and passengers through Canada’s largest port.

Port Security at a Glance

fully operational 24/7 land and marine security surveillance

card-only and gate access in place at all Port terminals and port roadways

continuous video surveillance of Port roadways and terminals

full security coverage of Port lands

advanced gamma ray container screening equipment

radiation portal program at container terminals

100 per cent passenger and baggage screening

lighting, perimeter security, optical intrusion detection and signage on Port properties

state-of-the-art incident reporting program to track suspicious activity

member of Partners-in-Protection (PIP) and U.S. Customs Container Security Initiative (CSI)

Partnerships
Security at the Port of Vancouver is a partnership between federal officials, local law enforcement agencies and the VPA working in conjunction with its terminal operators, labour, tenants and community stakeholders.

Police of local jurisdiction provide response and law enforcement for land and sea. The RCMP coordinates national security response. Transport Canada (TC) ensures International Ship and Port security (ISPS) code compliance in Canada and monitors entry of foreign vessels to Canadian waters through the national Marine Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and Regulations (MTSR) and through approval of port facilities security assessments and plans.

Border protection and immigration is the responsibility of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and the Marine Security Operations Centre (MSOC), an arm of the Department of National Defense. MSOC provides intelligence and oversight for TC, CBSA, the military and navy, CCG and the RCMP.

The VPA, its terminal operators, labour, port tenants and the port stakeholder community provide security of port property, personnel and infrastructure.

Standards
The VPA works closely with federal agencies to apply security measures for standardized Marine Security (MARSEC) response levels. The VPA continuously reviews security standards in consultation with its tenants, customers, labour and regulatory agencies. These standards reflect the local operational requirements for the secure movement of cargo and passengers during times of normal and elevated levels of security.

Funding
The VPA will invest more than $16 million over six years to support security initiatives in the Port of Vancouver, beginning in 2003. Since 2003, each terminal operator has invested between $250,000 to $2 million for security improvements, depending on the nature of their operations. In August 2003, the Port of Vancouver’s container terminal operators implemented a security surcharge to help cover extraordinary costs associated with ISPS compliance. The VPA supports terminal operators in their ongoing efforts to secure funding for port security.

The Marine Security Contribution Program (MSCP) is a 5-year, $115-million Government of Canada commitment to assist all Canada’s ports and marine facilities to modernize and strengthen their security systems and programs, to meet the requirements of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations, and to comply with the ISPS code. In November 2006, the federal government allotted $42 million of the MSCP funds to provide surveillance equipment, dockside and perimeter security, communications equipment for command and control, and training, across the Canadian port system.

Personnel
The VPA employs a 24/7 marine operations and security department and oversees contracted security providers. Terminal operators provide security for each terminal as required by TC. The VPA provides continuous, 24/7 marine surveillance through patrol vessel coverage, and 24/7 land patrol, throughout its jurisdiction.

Initiatives and Programs
Marine Surveillance
Patrol vessels are equipped with the latest surveillance equipment, including thermal imaging technology for long-range visibility in allweather conditions. Continuous marine surveillance provides the port community with early incident detection and activity tracking.

Physical Security
The VPA employs the latest technologies to enhance the physical security on and around Port properties, including intelligent fencing, optical intrusion detection devices, video surveillance and thermal imaging equipment to provide automated threat identification. Vehicle access control systems (VACS) ensure that only authorized vehicles and individuals can access port property. The VACS system also integrates with the VPA’s mandatory Truck Licensing System (TLS) that controls container truck access to the Port of Vancouver. Live camera images feed to the VPA’s 24/7 control centre.

Card Access Control
The VPA’s PortPASS, a port community photo ID card, identifies personnel authorized to access the Port and contains an electronic identifier unique to the port system. Card access synchronizes with the Port’s vehicle access control system (VACS). Since 2004, the VPA has issued more than 30,000 cards that provide varying degrees of port access based on rigid security clearance protocols.

Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program (MTSCP)
In November 2006, the Government of Canada announced amendments to their national Marine Transportation Security Regulations that will strengthen Canadian marine security by requiring background checks for port workers who perform specific security duties or have access to designated restricted areas. The MTSCP will reduce the risk of security threats by preventing unlawful interference with the marine transportation system, benefiting the public, passengers, marine workers, and operators of vessels, ports and marine facilities. MTSCP implementation at the Port of Vancouver will be completed by December 15, 2007.

Cargo Screening
The CBSA provides cargo screening at the Port of Vancouver, using on-dock VACIS mobile gamma ray scanning vehicles. The Port of Vancouver was the first Canadian port to use this technology. The CBSA’s objective is to screen 100 per cent of the container traffic leaving Vancouver by rail, to detect contraband. The CBSA will continue to invest in detection technology for use in marine facilities across Canada.

Radiation Detection
Customs officers and port communities use a radiation detection-measuring device that improves the detection and subsequent seizure of contraband and dangerous goods passing through the Canadian port system. Radiation portals installed at every container terminal and active in early 2007 enable CBSA to perform non-intrusive inspection of containers to promote increased international security without interruption to terminal operations. The CBSA’s objective is to screen 100 per cent of the container traffic before it leaves the terminal, as part of the operations process.

Passenger and Baggage Screening
Passengers arriving at the Port’s cruise terminals Canada Place and Ballantyne proceed through security screening and must provide their cruise ticket and identification in order to board a cruise ship. Cruise terminal security also includes police participation, terminal access control, 24/7 camera surveillance and monitoring, and 100 per cent baggage screening.

National Risk Assessment Centre (NRAC)
In January 2004, the Government of Canada established the National Risk Assessment Centre (NRAC) within the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The NRAC operates 24/7 as a focal point and interface between intelligence agencies at the international, national, and local levels to protect Canadians against current and emerging threats. The NRAC uses sophisticated intelligencegathering techniques and information sharing and analysis to detect and stop the movement into the country of high-risk individuals and goods. The NRAC distributes this information to its law enforcement partners who can then act appropriately. Under the Smart Border Declaration, Canada and the United States have agreed to combine their efforts to detect persons or goods that pose a threat to national security.

Training and Exercises
The VPA is leading the development, implementation and evaluation of annual exercises, quarterly drills and security awareness programs. The VPA’s web-based interactive port security awareness program is available to all levels of port community staff. Additional marine operations and security software tools are available on the Pacific Gateway Portal at www.pacificgatewayportal.com.

Partners in Protection (PIP)
PIP is a collaborative effort between the CBSA and private industry that encourages information sharing with the goal of preventing and reducing terrorist and criminal activity. The VPA was one of the first PIP program members. The CBSA is working closely with PIP’s American counterpart, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), to share information and resources and to enhance border security.

Border Cooperation
The VPA is committed to strengthening the confidence of the Port of Vancouver’s trading partners by providing a secure point of entry for North American-destined cargo. U.S. customs inspectors are stationed at the Port of Vancouver to pre-screen containerized U.S.-destined cargo. The Port of Vancouver was one of the first ports to participate as a member of the U.S. Customs Container Screening Initiative (CSI).

Security Committees
The VPA participates on several security committees. For a listing of current committees and their mandates, please contact our Marine Operations & Security department.

Integration
The VPA is committed to the safe and efficient movement of goods and passengers through the Port of Vancouver. The VPA and its partners continue to undertake innovative security initiatives and programs to safeguard the movement of cargo and passengers while enhancing port operations at Canada’s flagship port.

Contact Information
For more information on the VPA’s marine operations and security initiatives and programs, please contact:

Marine Operations and Security Department
Telephone: 604-665-9086
Toll Free Tel: 1-888-PORTVAN (1-888-767-8826)
Toll Free Fax: 1-866-284-4271
e-mail: marineoperations&security@portvancouver.com

posted January 3, 2007