The law enforcement team charged with securing the area of Antwerp Port, specifically to fight against organised crime linked to the shipment of drugs, came a step closer to being operational as 61 security officers started training this week.
The new Port Security Corps of the Shipping Police was launched in May this year with a call for 70 candidate security officers. Almost all places have been filled.
At the same time, 50 other federal police security officers were temporarily made available in the port to ensure the presence of police working alongside the Federal Police dog units. Escalating violence in recent weeks has highlighted the urgent need to strengthen forces at Europe's second-largest port (the biggest being Rotterdam).
At the end of last week, customs officials intercepted a 7.5-tonne cocaine shipment at Antwerp Port, with nine people hiding in a nearby container.
On Friday two dock workers were gagged and threatened with knives by three assailants trying to recover cocaine seized by customs authorities. The aggression spurred the head of customs at Antwerp Port to demand a swifter incineration process for seized drug shipments to protect his staff against violent drug traffickers, as unions warn that "sooner or later there will be deaths."
Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden during a visit to the class on Thursday. Credit: Belga/ Dirk Waem
Further expansion
The final training will be undertaken next month with the aim of equipping 70 security officers by next spring to form the corps, which will operate along with seven inspectors, eight chief inspectors and a commissioner.
They will be present on the premises day and night and patrol in a targeted or information-driven way. They can also intervene quickly if needed, for instance for the arrest of drug dealers.
More than 400 candidates applied for the positions, and those who are now being trained underwent a strict selection procedure which includes a cognitive test, a sports test, a personality test, a medical test and a background check.
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Besides the creation of the Port Security Corps, the Antwerp Maritime Police has been strengthened in other ways. A total of 312 positions are now either filled or recruitment processes are ongoing. A year ago (autumn 2022) the unit had less than 100 people.
A dedicated criminal investigation department will take on further investigations to relieve the Federal Judicial Police of Antwerp, while a specialised maritime security cell will be established. The number of staff for the intervention teams, which operate both on land and water – and for border controls – will also be "significantly increased in time".
