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Dubai: Dubai Ports World (DP World), the world's third-largest port operator, is investing Dh1.1 billion ($300 million) in security, a senior official said.
"We are investing roughly $300 million to secure 42 terminals that we operate worldwide," David Fairnie, DP World's director of security, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (Fiata) World Congress, 2007, that kicked off in Dubai yesterday.
The move comes as the US introduces new measures to screen containers destined for its ports. DP World last year sold off its US assets amid political pressure.
Explaining the detailed measures taken by DP World to ensure security, Fairnie said: "Hundred per cent security is no longer a myth, but a reality. At DP World, we are setting a global benchmark for security," he told delegates.
DP World has commissioned a three-tier fool-proof container security initiative that involves X-ray, radiation and Optical Container Recognition (OCR).
These can detect any radiation being emitted from the container, while the OCR captures container data and manages the supply chain.
DP World has also employed CCTV, alarm systems as well as an anti-invasion systems across all its ports and terminal facilities.
Dubai's Jebel Ali port is part of the 58 global port network under its Container Security Initiative (CSI) programme, that allows the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to screen containers in those ports, virtually extending the US border security in other countries.
"Dubai is the only port in the Middle East that is part of our CSI network. We are adding Salalah to it," Richard Di Nucci, acting director for Secure Freight Initiative at the US CBP department, said.
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