Keeping our harbours operational
Ports on the Baltic Sea play a critical role in keeping societies across Europe running smoothly. However, they face a constant threat from a range of sources, according to the Head of Security for Ports of Stockholm, Johan Dahlman.
Nine out of ten of the goods coming into Sweden arrives via ship. That means the country is heavily reliant on its ports to channel through the food, equipment and consumer goods that Swedes rely on for daily life. And according to Johan Dahlman, Head of Security at Ports of Stockholm, the operation of ports in Sweden and across the rest of the Baltic Sea region is at risk from a range of different threats.
“The major security threats facing ports today are IT attacks, intelligence threats, and smuggling and theft,” Mr Dahlman says during an interview for Saab’s Shielding the Baltic Sea film series. “I would say the threat level has remained fairly constant in recent years. But clearly [the Nord Stream pipeline attack], maritime activities in the Baltic Sea, and the conflict in Ukraine have heightened tensions. Awareness has been raised.”
Mr Dahlman says ports need to be constantly on the guard against malicious actors seeking to gain intelligence.
"The major security threats facing ports today are IT attacks, intelligence threats, and smuggling and theft,"
“The intelligence threat is constant, “ he says. “It involves acquiring information about critical infrastructure, railways, aviation, ports, electricity, telecommunications, and water supply for society.”
“The intelligence threat is constant, “
Proactive security solutions
To help neutralise threats, Ports of Stockholm has been proactively developing security solutions. “[We have] over the years both developed and expanded our use of technical equipment to protect our port facilities,” he says. “For example, we have a surveillance and traffic control centre that operates 24/7, year round, staffed by our personnel. Additionally, we maintain close collaboration with other Swedish ports to develop and implement best practice.”
Mr Dahlman says close cooperation with Sweden’s Armed Forces also helps increase security.
“We have today a very well-established collaboration with the Armed Forces,”
“We have today a very well-established collaboration with the Armed Forces,” he says. “We plan, do exercises together, and have historically we have also conducted operational activities with them.”
Want to learn more? Our Shielding the Baltic Sea film series looks at the security challenges facing the Baltic as well as some of the advanced technological solutions that are helping to address them. Watch it here.