Israeli Company Deployed New Mombasa Port Security System

Israeli Company Deployed New Mombasa Port Security System

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The Port of Mombasa is one of the largest in the African continent; it serves Kenya and its neighboring countries as a gateway to Eastern and Central Africa.

Mombasa Port
Mombasa Port

Kenya has unique security challenges: politically unstable and strife torn neighboring countries, piracy attacks off the Somalia Coast, the growing importance of the Yemen-Somalia axis and recent terrorist attacks are just a few specific concerns that the port operators need to deal with.

Many factors dictated a unique security solution for this important regional hub, including adherence to the ISPS code which was a directive put in place as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks. In a World Bank Tender process MAGAL S3 was chosen and in November 2010 signed a $21.4 million contract to provide a turnkey security solution.

Mombasa Port Gate
Mombasa Port Gate

Under this contract Magal had to deliver a turnkey integrated security solution including: Perimeter Security, Access Doors and Gates Control, Gate Barriers, Thermal imaging cameras, CCTV, Explosive Device and Metals Detection, Radio Communication Systems, Intercom Public Address, etc. Magal was also responsible for supplying a PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) system that glues the overall solution under a user friendly application that displays alarms and manages events.

Meanwhile the initial contract was expanded and further expansions are already being discussed; nevertheless the original content was commissioned and handed over to the customer last July.

For this project, Magal’s flagship product, the all weather DTR taut wire system was selected. The DTR, a robust delay, detect and deter intrusion detection fence has the highest Probability of Detection (POD) and lowest False Alarm Rate (FAR) of any Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) and is especially adapted to maritime environment.

Mombasa Port Security Fence
Mombasa Port Security Fence

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

Canals and waterways crossing the Port’s Perimeter are protected by Magal’s Intrusion Detection Grid – Magbar. With no moving parts, the water proof Magbar, is the perfect solution for tropical and rainy areas. Access control was achieved by an array of technologies such as access control cards, biometrics for personal identity verification and LPR (License Plate Recognition) for authorized cars. Boom Barriers, Anti Terror Barriers and Sliding Gates at entry points allow easy access for authorized traffic; Rising Bollards allow traffic to pass while having the ability to completely stop a suspicious moving vehicle; over 40 IR Detectors protect gates, roof tops, peers, jetty’s and other weak points in the site perimeter.

With the threat of terrorism and hooliganism in mind, MAGAL also supplied a wide array of human inspection devices including explosive device and metal detectors, such as X-Ray Screening Equipment, and Walk through Metal Detectors. Kenya unfortunately is no stranger to terrorist activities. In 2012 alone there were over 20 terror events leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds wounded. 39 people were killed and more than 150 injured in the horrific Westgate Shopping Mall attack in September 2013.

Mombasa  Pםרא Security Camera
Mombasa Port Security Camera

Magal also supplied over 450 cameras of many types: Fixed and PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom), indoor and outdoor, Analogue, IP and thermal night cameras. The cameras are integrated using Magal’s Video Management Software (VMS) – MaestroDB.

The entire Port Security system is centrally controlled by a hierarchical management system – Fortis4G; within the Main Security Center (MSC), one backup security center, five Local Security Centers (LSC) and eight Gate Control Rooms (GCR) for controlling the local activity of the gate and the activity of other gates located in close vicinity.

Security Control Center
Security Control Center

Photos: Magal S3