Too much of a good thing?: Some reflections on increased port security and its costs

Much of the discourse on port security since 9-11 has focused on the compliance with new security measures. Little light has been shed on the perspective of port operators and
users who have had to bear the brunt of the financial and operational costs of enhanced security. This paper attempts to address this imbalance by assessing the impact of
enhanced port security on port operators and users. While port stakeholders generally welcome the initiatives introduced after the 9-11 incident to boost security, some have frowned at the costs and inconveniences resulting therefrom. Questions abound on whether the threat perception is being correctly interpreted, if the security schemes are
sustainable, who should pay for the costs, and where will the current security framework lead to. It is hoped that the analysis will inspire a more bi-partisan discussion on the
subject, and will go some way towards lifting some of the clouds forming in the current security climate that are hanging over the issue.