WeCAPS
Improving Port Security in West and Central Africa *
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Launched in January 2019, WeCAPS (Improving Port Security in West and Central Africa) is the most recent project of the CMR Programme (Critical Maritime Routes) a European programme to secure maritime transport. WeCAPS intends to help partner countries in West and Central Africa to adequately address increasing vulnerabilities related to port security.
The objectives of the projects are threefold:
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strengthened compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS)-standards;
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increased preparedness and resilience to risks through detection and handling of illicit or dangerous goods, substances and activities, and;
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increased resilience when a crisis event occurs (attack, explosion, spill etc.).
WeCAPS intends to bring together the different national authorities active in the field of port handling and to increase their capacity in, analysis and response, while considering the cooperation with the private actors active in the field of port security.
CONTEXT
Opportunities
Maritime traffic in Africa:
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a growing trend (economic / security implications)
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90% of traffic for the African continent passes by sea
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Europe remains a major partner of West and Central African countries
* West & Central Africa
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Angola
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Benin
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Cameroon
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Congo
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Ivoiry Coast
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DRC
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Equatorial Guinea
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Gabon
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Ghana
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Guinea
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Guinea-Bissau
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Liberia
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Nigeria
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Senegal
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Sierra Leone
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The Gambia
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Togo
Vulnerabilities
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Economy with high potential, but vulnerabilities
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Ports in West / Central Africa = critical infrastructure
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Goods from sea to landlocked countries
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Infrastructures vulnerable to malicious threats and industrial risks
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Exploited by criminals (transit of illicit / dangerous goods)
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A target for terrorist attacks => human security, port infrastructures
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Significant industrial risk: ports integrated into dense urban areas
Based on these risk factors / vulnerabilities - the European Commission has developed a maritime policy:
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Engage in strengthening the safety and security of port infrastructures
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Fund a dedicated technical assistance project = WeCAPS
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Rely on international regulatory frameworks and best practices:
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Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention
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ISPS code
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Good industrial practices and standards in force
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Training of actors involved in securing port infrastructure
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RESPONDING TO COVID-19
WeCAPS COVID-19 RESPONSE - PHASE 1
The terms of reference initially focused on expertise and training were revised by the WeCAPS project team and validated by the European Commission in order to meet the needs of partner countries in the COVID-19 response.
The WeCAPS project team led by Expertise France came up with proposals to react on the protective equipment component for the COVID-19 response. Besides the equipment, a Learning Management System (LMS) was provided with best practices from the French firefighters in response to COVID-19. The success of phase 1 COVID-19 response testifies to the proactivity of the teams and their ability to reconfigure themselves in the context of a pandemic.
WeCAPS COVID-19 Response - Phase 1
Masks
WeCAPS COVID-19 Response - Phase 1
Disinfection equipment
WeCAPS COVID-19 Response - Phase 1
Learning Management System
WeCAPS COVID-19 RESPONSE - PHASE 2
The WeCAPS COVID-19 Response - Phase 2 consisted of providing a methodology in 8 axes with the objective to strengthen the resilience of the Ports in West / Central Africa against the pandemic. The illustration of the vulnerability analysis contains notional data and is for information only. Key reference documents, dashboard of the tests available on the market for diagnostics (French Ministry of Health), and a diagnostic strategy were included in the WeCAPS COVID-19 Response - Phase 2 methodology.
