G4S provides security solutions for Port of Rhodes

Above: Security officer monitoring CCTV.
Courtesy G4S

Steeped in history and surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea, the Greek island of Rhodes is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. With many of the holiday-makers arriving by sea, the Rhodes Port Authority put together a tender for a security technology programme that met the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS).

As one of the busiest ports in Greece, with approximately 700,000 tourists travelling through the Port of Rhodes every year, it was important for G4S to offer an integrated technology security system to keep the port and all the tourists passing through, safe and secure. At the same time, it was vital to consider ISPS compliancy, as this was an essential requirement for the customer.
 
The Port of Rhodes is made up of three neighbouring ports: Kolones, Aggelon and Akantia.  Aggelon is primarily used for cruise ships and ships connecting to Turkey, Kolones for VIP private yachts and Akantia mainly providing port for ships connecting to the rest of Greece. 

G4S' intelligent, integrated system will be finalised by the end of 2019 and includes a variety of equipment such as fibre optic network, CCTV, access control, security booths around the site that act as checkpoints, and x-ray screening for employees and passengers.
 
With over than 300 cruise ships arriving every year, some with over 2,000 passengers, a suitable technology solution was essential to cover such a busy port, spread over a large area.  “This was one of the key challenges,” G4S Greece’s Ports Business Development Manager, Panos Giannakopoulos, explained.
 
“Part of our technology solution is to create a network that will connect all three ports to the central control room. This will be achieved by installing a fibre optic network. Part of the CCTV network involves an advanced 360 degrees thermal camera to survey the waterfront, up to a range of 2 km. The whole system will be supplied, for back up purposes, from photovoltaic solar panels and generators, if there is a power failure. Additionally, physical security equipment is provided, such as security booths, passenger shades to protect those waiting in open air areas and mobile fences, which are used to divert passengers or vehicles in specific areas of the port."

An access control system is provided in order to manage entry/exit to all ISPS restricted areas. The access control software used by G4S, integrates all existing systems of the Port along with the G4S offered systems. The data will be obtained from multiple sources, including external companies, such as cruise operators and shipping companies, and combines the relevant information to provide a seamless operation.  For example, data is received from incoming cruise ships, so if a passenger disembarks from a ship in the port, they receive a unique barcode, which automates their entry/exit to the port. Another example is when a vehicle tries to enter the port, the vehicle registration number is captured and if it matches an already valid ticket, the vehicle is granted access to the necessary areas.
 
Panos Giannakopoulos continued: “It’s important that our solution takes into consideration all the parameters, both from internal and external sources, and analyses the information in order to be as efficient as possible. By using the latest technology, G4S keeps the Port of Rhodes operating smoothly”.
 
G4S also secures a number of other ports around the world, including Port Zeebrugge in Belgium, Port Fourchon, Louisiana and Jacksonville Port, Florida in North America.