Port of Rotterdam
Jan 13, 2016
Port of Rotterdam
Radiation Detection Systems at theMajor International Seaport of
Rotterdam
“Balance Between Trade and Security”
“Benefits and Challenges”
Sylvia Niesing
Teamleader Nuclear Detection
Rotterdam Customs
Bosporusstraat 5
3199 LJ Maasvlakte Rotterdam
the Netherlands
+31 6 1860 2987
South East Asia SLD Megaports Technical Workshop, Bangkok - May 12,
2009
Index
History (from “Brinker” until now) Balance between Trade and Security
The Rotterdam approach Operational mode
Results
Benefits and Challenges
Port of Rotterdam
1998: The USA started 2nd line of Defense Program (DOE)– Prevention of Illicit Trafficking of
Radioactive/Nuclear Material
2002: CSI Container Security Initiative– Canada: Halifax, Montreal and Vancouver;
Singapore; Netherlands: Rotterdam; Belgium: Antwerp; France: Le Havre; Germany: Bremerhaven and Hamburg.
History
“Brinker” Megaports project
• After a visit of the Dutch Minister of Finance to the United States
• On the 13th of August 2003
• A Mutual Declaration Of Principles was signed at Rotterdam
MUTUAL DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES BY
THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF
THE NETHERLANDS
AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMARICA
CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF ILLICIT
TRAFFICKING IN NUCLEAR AND OTHER
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
“Brinker” project
Objective:• Security
• To monitor as much as possible incoming and outgoing containers in order to intercept and/or stop illegal import, export and transhipment of nuclear and radioactive materials
Most important requirement:• Trade
• Logistic process in the Port of Rotterdam should not be disrupted
• All destinations, import, export and, if logistically possible, transhipment were inspected
“Brinker” project
• 4 TSA Nuclear Detection Portals were installed at the Europe Container Terminals (ECT), location Maasvlakte Rotterdam
• A computer system was placed at the Central Command Post (CCP) in the Customs main building
“Brinker” project
“Brinker” project
• Lessons learned
It’s possible to monitor large numbers of containers
a close cooperation between container terminal and customs is essential
“innocent” alarms caused by NORM materials like ceramics, fertilizer and ore disrupted the logistic process
Tender procedure
• Rotterdam Customs decided not to participate further in the Megaports Project
• Why ? To be independent To pay for all expenses To tender nuclear detection portals with “Norm”
recognition Special requirements for database To install two Central Command Posts, 40 km apart
but connected by glass fibre To investigate in the usefulness of advanced
spectral portals• Note:
There is still a very good and close relationship between DOE and Dutch Customs !!
• “turn-key” project for supply, installation
and maintenance of two connected
networks in which a total of 40
gamma/neutron portals and hand-held
equipment were requested
• ANSI N42.35 requirements at a speed
of 20 km/h with NORM recognition
• Siemens / SAIC was awarded
Tender procedure
Operational mode in the Port of Rotterdam
3 different phases can be distinguished
• Phase 1: passage through the portal
Trucks and trains drive through the SAIC AT980 or ST-20 advanced portal, possible alarm, stopping container, gathering information about the contents (freight documents, BL)
Is the radiation evenly distributed in the container or are there peaks?
Is it “normal” that the cargo emits radiation (ceramics, fertilizer, etcetera ….)
Operational mode in the Port of Rotterdam
• Phase 2: Identification
Inspection with identifiers like SAIC GR-135, Ortec Detective HPGe, Berthold Neutron Counter, or SAIC GR-460 mobile system
Or inspection with SAIC ST-20, an Advanced Spectral NaI Portal
Screenshot ST-20 Advanced Spectral Portal
Operational mode in the Port of Rotterdam
• Phase 3:
If not conform in Phase 2, the container is handed
over to the Department of Nuclear Safety, Security
and Safeguards of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial
Planning and the Environment
Opening and unloading of the container. If
necessary, call in police, public prosecutor, etc.;
removal and storage of the nuclear material
Results
Port of Rotterdam 10,8 million TUE in 2008
Location Rotterdam Maasvlakte 2008
Number of passages
Phase 1 alarms
Phase 2 Phase 3
3.695.833 58.676 914 11
1,59% 1,56% 1,20%
Number of passages
Phase 1 alarms
Phase 2 Phase 3
3.355.865 54.644 2192 17
1,63% 4,01% 0,78%
7.051.698
Location Rotterdam Reeweg 2008
Some examples of interceptions
Numerous containers with radioactive contaminated metal scrap
60Co and 65Zn contaminated stacking kits for washing machines and tumble dryers
Illegal transport of Co-60, Am-241/Be, Cs-137 sources
Lightning rod (Ra-226)m
ax. doserate container 650 µSv/h
(65 mrem/h)
at surface of object 1,03 mSv/h (103 mrem/h)
Some examples of interceptions
4 “empty” UF6 containers
Leather handbags with Cobalt-60 contaminated hardware
All seizures were not in conformity with Dutch Legislation
The amount of uranium exceeded the 0.1 wt% limit
Maximum doserate at surface 80 µSv/h (8 mrem/h) !!
Benefits and Challenges
• Benefits
Port of Rotterdam profiles itself as a safe port
Important for International Trade
Installing Nuclear Detection Sytems in the Port of Rotterdam could work preventative
Protection against radioactive products coming to the consumer market
•Challenges
Detection ship to ship transport
More portals in other ports and airports
Faster nuclide identification with advanced spectral portal systems can increase the logistics even more
Incorporation of Nuclear Detection Systems with X-ray scanning technology one point of control
Discuss with terminals about the possibilities of installing portals before a terminal is actually build
Benefits and Challenges
Sylvia