AS part of a
programme of increased security measures, Ports of Auckland has upgraded its
perimeter security with the installation of a PowerFence system from Gallagher
Security Management Systems – a division of the Gallagher Group.
This is an
important installation that defends one of the South Pacific’s busiest ports. Formed
in 1988, Ports of Auckland (POAL) provides shipping links to 164 ports in 67
countries. This port is not only New Zealand’s largest trade gateway; it is
also the country’s major hub port and biggest general cargo port. More than 840,000
20-foot container units (TEU) pass through the port annually.
The numbers
highlight the vital nature of this facility to the economy of New Zealand. The
port handles 48 per cent of the North Island container trade and 36 per cent of
New Zealand’s total container trade. In terms of New Zealand’s total trade by
value, 50 per cent of imports and 24 per cent of exports go through the Port.
Overall, POAL handles 35 per cent of New Zealand’s total annual trade by value
– the equivalent of 13 per cent of annual GDP.
“Gaining
compliance (with the maritime security regulations) was a huge operation for
Ports of Auckland,” explains Mike Gladman, port security manager.
“Ports of
Auckland spent in excess of NZ$1 million strengthening border security
management. We put in place new port access systems, new photo identity cards,
upgraded four kilometres of perimeter fencing and significantly improved our
electronic surveillance systems.”
The perimeter
security system had to meet a number of criteria. It had to satisfy MNZ that it
detects and deters criminal entry and it had to satisfy the operations managers
that it was safe for staff and visitors.
Not only this, it
had to be community friendly and to be aesthetically pleasing.
To meet these
requirements, POAL installed various types of PowerFence perimeter security. A
full height fence (2.4m to 3m tall) with chain link mesh guards the perimeter
of various sites including the Axis Ferguson container terminal, New Zealand’s
largest container terminal.
This site
features five-quayside container cranes, including two powerful post-panamax
cranes, and 25 straddle carriers. It has a 600-metre berth with the capacity
for two large or three medium-sized ships. Work on a 9.5 hectare extension to
the terminal, which will increase the potential TEU capacity to 500,000 a year,
was completed in 2008 and also secured with the PowerFence system because of
its proven success.
“By upgrading to
PowerFence Trophy FT in 2008, POAL was able to take advantage of the high level
integration with the Cardax FT access control and intruder alarms system –
another security system from Gallagher Security Management Systems already
installed at POAL”
An existing fence
with heritage classification running along the city side of the Port had to
remain untouched when securing this section of the perimeter. To preserve this
piece of Auckland’s history, a full height PowerFence system was installed
inside the heritage fence.
The heritage
fence features a replica extension. This extension has a 13 wire alarm
monitored ‘topper’ system. This structure inhibits anyone from breaching the
perimeter and maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An additional 2.1
km of the full-height PowerFence system secures various internal access points
from visitors’ car compounds to the Wynyard Wharf.
A key factor in
the decision to install a PowerFence system was that it is an ‘intelligent’
system. It consists of independent fence zones which can be uniquely identified
by management software to accurately detect the location of attack attempts to
facilitate a fast appropriate response.
In addition, a
core consideration for the port environment was the PowerFence system’s safety
for employees and the public. PowerFence systems deter would-be intruders by
delivering a short, safe shock to anyone trying to breach the fence. They are
installed by certified PowerFence Dealers to meet stringent safety
criteria.
“The
PowerFence adds another layer of defence that has proved invaluable in the
protection of this diverse site,” says Gladman. “We needed to be confident that
the PowerFence system could operate in all weather conditions without false
alarming in the sometimes adverse conditions of the port environment.”
By upgrading to
PowerFence Trophy FT in 2008, POAL was able to take advantage of the high level
integration with the Cardax FT access control and intruder alarms system –
another security system from Gallagher Security Management Systems already
installed at POAL.
The high level
integration between the two systems means seamless site security is possible.
The PowerFence Trophy FT solution delivers centralised control of multiple,
distributed sites as well as the configuration of unlimited fence zones, with
high voltage readings available for each zone on a central monitor.
TrophyFT also
facilitates site plans that act as a graphical representation of the site, and
reflect the real time status of items. There’s also full alarms management,
with the ability to channel all alarms from across distributed sites for
appropriate action and a comprehensive audit trail, as well as flexible
searching and reporting options.
Other features of
POAL’s solution include system division, enabling the system to be segmented
for management and monitoring purposes, and extensive operator privileges to
control who can view and edit information.
Key benefits of
the PowerFence Trophy FT system for POAL are its scalability, network
compatibility, integration possibilities, system architecture and ability to
implement electronic access control and intruder alarms.
Ports of Auckland
is satisfied that the Gallagher PowerFence system sends the message that it is serious
about security and says other ports look to replicate the high international
standards and security measures POAL has implemented.
