Bahrain and countries with port facilities must use modern technology to protect themselves against the risk of a sea-based terrorist attack. Globally recognised technology and business executive Arpad Toth says drug trafficking, piracy, arms and money smuggling, biological attacks and the sabotage of sea-based telecommunication lines are the major threats facing the industry.
The chairman and chief executive officer of US-based Alacera argues countries with ports should use devices that can detect weapons of mass destruction and nuclear materials."Maritime security is an integral part of a nation's security," said Mr Toth, who was speaking at the ASIS International Middle East Security Conference yesterday."Maritime security protection is a very complicated task and involves several agencies.
The detection devices should have the capabilities for uncovering weapons of mass destruction because they are the biggest danger."If the terrorists can spread nuclear material in a major port, the economy of the whole region could be brought down."Mr Toth says national inter-agency and international co-operation are needed to provide successful maritime security protection."I think every nation has to pay attention to security whether it is a small or large country, as they are linked globally from their goods and services," he said."Bahrain is as vulnerable as any larger nation."If the port here is targeted the whole economy would be damaged."We still just do spot checks as opposed to overall security control."