How the use of drones can improve port security

Where security staff might struggle with the protection of cargo and property in port terminals, the use of drones can provide the speed of deployment and a much-improved viewpoint of what is happening in the facility.  TT Club’s risk assessment manager, Neil Dalus, looks in detail at the beneficial use of this developing technology.

The typical size and layout of port facilities – particularly container terminals – can make monitoring difficult, since the line of sight at ground level can be obscured by cargo, buildings, and handling equipment. Similarly, the physical distance sometimes required to travel across the facility, compounded by the potential disruption to automated operations, adds to the challenges.

The supporting use of drones may not only help pinpoint areas of concern, but can also provide and record additional data such as thermal imagery and geo-location, which could deliver useful insights for any ongoing incident or subsequent investigations.

Further, the use of drones can reduce the need to place personnel in high-risk locations.

Current drone technologies that can support the security teams include:

• tethered drones [permanent power supply]
• thermal imaging and object tracking
• set ‘mission’ patrols
• loudspeakers
• high-powered lighting

Each of the above technologies are already widely available and in use in ports and various other industrial environments. Each may offer benefits that could usefully be evaluated more widely.

Drone tethering

This is the process of connecting a drone to a permanent land-based power supply in the form of a fixed cable attachment. This technique removes the limitations of the flight time, due to the capacity of the batteries, and avoids battery change-over interruptions.

Tethering allows the drone to operate for much longer, and lends itself for use in prolonged surveillance operations where a high viewpoint from the drone can be used to maximum effect, while utilising the function of the zoom and thermal imaging functions of the camera. The collateral limitation is reduced freedom of movement around a facility.

Thermal imaging & object tracking

Thermal imaging may identify and track heat sources over a wide area and in poor lighting conditions. This therefore allows such information to be relayed to the team on the ground, supplying them with intelligence, that would not be otherwise available.

The object tracking function – available for use with a regular image camera as much as with thermal imaging – allows the drone operator to fix onto an object and then let the drone camera track the object. This enables the drone operator to relay and record the data without losing sight of the object being tracked.

In each case it is possible to relay the thermal image or camera data directly to the ground team, who may be some distance from what is being observed, so that they can see exactly what is being seen by the drone (and the drone operator).

These capabilities can support detection of intruders (including clandestine migrants) as much as give early warning of developing fire risks in cargo or assets.

Mission patrols

The development and use of set ‘mission’ patrols or flight paths can be programmed into a drone. This enables the effective patrol of areas, such as perimeter fences, while the drone operator monitors the video feed. This removes the need to put security staff in areas of typically low activity and avoids possible lone working risks.

Aggregating capabilities, such as unobstructed viewpoint and thermal image enriched data, can further improve the effectiveness of what would have typically been carried out on foot.

Loudspeakers

A number of manufacturers can supply drones with loudspeakers, enabling the drone operator to speak directly to any person remotely. This affords the advantage of being able to communicate hazards or to trespassers quickly on identification, as well as protecting workers from possible aggression.

High-powered lighting

Installation of lighting within the drone allows the operator to illuminate an area remotely, which can, of course, enrich further image data capture. This may provide specific value in a search operation, where a thermal imaging camera has been used to locate an intruder, and the lighting function illuminates the area, supporting the team on the ground, and providing sufficient lighting to enable safe access.

Conclusion

The use case for drones in the port and terminal security sector has multiple benefits as described above, together with a real return on investment in both resource deployment and safety for the workforce.

However, when talking about the development of drones as a security asset, we cannot dismiss the possible use of this technology by bad actors who would also utilise it to circumvent existing security measures in cargo handling facilities. For example, TT is aware of reported cases of drones being used to undertake surveillance missions to help criminals plan their breach of security.

The deployment and ongoing development of security drone operation enhances the offensive measures in terms of surveillance and incident support within the port and terminal environment. It additionally enables an understanding of the capabilities of the technology to help defend facilities from criminals or other intruders, who may use drones to penetrate traditional security measures such as fences and patrols.