Dover on 'heightened security' for some time, statement confirms
SECURITY measures at UK ports remain unchanged at the lowest possible setting, despite the government’s latest decision to raise the terror threat assessment nationwide to ‘critical’ in the wake of Monday’s suicide bomb atrocity in Manchester.
Separately, Dover — the country’s largest ferry port — has confirmed it is working to "heightened security checks", but added it had been doing so for some time.
Maritime security or ‘marsec’ levels under the internationally agreed International Ship and Port Facility Code — known by the acronym ISPS — are set by security specialists at the Department for Transport.
ISPS provides for three levels of precautions: level one applies in normal times; level two mandates heightened security; and level three applies in emergencies, in which there is a probable or imminent risk of an incident.
At level three, the state has full security powers and may decide to send in police, intelligence personnel, bomb disposal experts and the armed forces. However, this is clearly envisaged as a last resort.
Accordingly, level one stayed in place after unsuccessful terrorist attempts in London and Glasgow in 2007, for instance, although some ports increased precautions unilaterally.
While details are not made public, Lloyd’s List understands it has now stood at level one for the UK as a whole for some time. A London-based owner said the Department of Transport issued an alert to maintain that security level on Tuesday evening.
The maintenance of the status quo comes in contrast with beefed-up measures on shore, including the deployment of armed troops at key locations, unveiled by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday, following the deaths of 22 people at a pop concert in Manchester.
The Port of Dover, the main interface between shipping and the general public, said in a statement: “The Port of Dover is open for business and continues to provide an environment for government to pursue its national security objectives as administered by the relevant government agencies working at the port. Heightened security checks have been conducted at the port for a period of time.”
A spokesperson for DP World London Gateway said: "DP World London Gateway has taken advice from, and is in close contact with, the Department for Transport and we are acting in compliance with its instructions on this matter."
Meanwhile, South Hook LNG terminal said: "Following the change in threat level across the UK, we have reviewed our security measures in line with pre-determined response plans. We will continue to work with relevant authorities, as appropriate."
The DfT had not responded to a request for comment as of the time of publication.
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