The EU-funded POSEIDON project aims to tackle the escalating issues of corruption and organized crime in European port operations, particularly in light of rising drug trafficking. The transition to containerization in global trade has streamlined shipping processes but simultaneously facilitated an uptick in smuggling activities. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction reports a significant surge in drug use across the continent, with substances like cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA becoming increasingly prevalent.
Ports are identified as primary gateways for illicit drugs, with nearly 70% of drug seizures by EU customs occurring at seaports. Recognizing this alarming trend, the European Commission has initiated various measures to combat organized crime, including the European Ports Alliance, which emphasizes enhanced law enforcement and allocates €200 million for advanced scanning equipment for customs authorities.
In this context, the POSEIDON project has emerged as a critical initiative aimed at addressing organized crime and corruption. Research led by Ecorys, in partnership with institutions like the University of Murcia, Ghent University, and Fondazione SAFE, has analyzed vulnerabilities relating to corruption, revealing multiple factors contributing to the issue such as the nature of goods transported, human factors despite increasing digitalization, tight-knit communities around ports, and local political dynamics. Macro factors, such as the vast size and goods volume in ports, alongside economic conditions and legislation, also exacerbate these vulnerabilities.
To combat these challenges, POSEIDON has established a series of best practices and created the POSEIDON dashboard, which outlines these practices. Furthermore, the project developed an EU standard for port supply chain integrity, proposing measures to mitigate corruption through strengthened digital systems, public-private partnerships, and ongoing monitoring.
A notable concern is the rise of drug-related violence in key port cities like Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Antwerp, Europe’s second-largest port, has been highlighted as the top coke consumer in the EU. Drug trafficking has surged dramatically in the region, prompting joint policing efforts among bordering countries, including temporary border controls to intercept vehicles suspected of smuggling.
A report from the EU Drugs Agency and the World Customs Organization indicated substantial infiltration by organized criminal networks in EU ports, raising concerns about the potential corruption of port personnel. In specific terms, over 400 kilos of cocaine were seized in Antwerp in 572 operations, while Rotterdam followed with 164 kilos from 554 operations. Cannabis resin and amphetamines are also significant illicit substances intercepted across the EU.
The POSEIDON project’s culmination was marked by a final conference at the Port of Hamburg, where stakeholders from various sectors convened to deliberate on the project’s findings and the continual fight against corruption and organized crime in European ports. Overall, POSEIDON represents a pivotal step toward enhancing security and transparency in the supply chains of seaports to address the growing challenges of drug trafficking and related criminal activity in Europe.
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