The Port of Gothenburg is classified as a protected object.

The Port of Gothenburg and all its terminals are classified as protected objects and are subject to the Swedish Installations Protection Act. They are also classified as protected maritime installations. Maritime security is a collective term to describe measures taken in order to protect shipping against various kinds of external threats. It involves strict security requirements, such as access controls and bans on taking photographs and filming.

The terminals are subject to the EU’s port security legislation, which has been introduced to ensure that EU-critical ports can be kept open even at higher security levels. The Port of Gothenburg is also subject to the Swedish Protective Security Act, which deals with the security and functionality of Sweden.

Access to trans-ocean direct shipping constitutes a strategic function for Swedish trade and industry. The EU also considers the Port of Gothenburg to be an important cargo hub from a national perspective and within the trans-European transport network.

Review of security protection.

The port works systematically on security and conducts continuous reviews of its security protection. There has been a focus on this during the year, and as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an additional review of security work was undertaken. The war in Ukraine has brought about a change in how security work is viewed. The level has been heightened in selected areas, and contact channels have also been reviewed and updated. The port has also carried out two port security drills and 38 security drills together with terminal operators, and set up a backup control centre that can take charge of security work in the port if required.

The code aims to prevent:

• damage to or destruction of port facilities or vessels
• hijacking or seizure of vessels
• manipulation of cargo
• unauthorised access
• smuggling of weapons
• use of vessels as weapons

The ISPS Code is to be applied by:

• passenger vessels in international traffic
• cargo vessels (including high-speed vessels) with a gross tonnage of 500 or more in international traffic
• mobile oil drilling platforms at sea
• port facilities that provide services to any of the above vessels

The rules impose three fundamental requirements on ports:

1. Every port facility must perform a security investigation (the owner draws up the base data).
2. A security plan must be drawn up for three security levels. The plans must be approved by the Swedish Transport Agency and remain valid for a maximum of five years. Level 1 is the normal level, level 2 means a heightened security level and level 3 applies when there is a probable and imminent risk. The Swedish Police National Operations Department (NOA) then decides, in consultation with the Swedish Transport Agency, which level shall apply at Swedish ports.
3. The security plan must describe how security work is organised and what security measures are applied for entry, surveillance and control of cargo, people and vessel deliveries. These measures must prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access and weapons or other dangerous devices from being taken onboard that could be used against people and property. They must be described for three security levels, with the higher levels involving an increasing level of control and surveillance. A Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) must be appointed for each port facility. The Port Facility Security Officer is responsible for ensuring that security plans are drawn up and applied, that deficiencies are addressed, that personnel are trained and that contact is maintained with the person or persons with corresponding positions on vessels.

All employees at the Gothenburg Port Authority and the terminal companies have completed an interactive course on the ISPS Code. Personnel at the Energy Port in Gothenburg also receive additional security training.