SECURITY OBSERVATIONS AT QATAR'S ENERGY PORTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000359 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017 TAGS: EPET ENRG ASEC PGOV QA SUBJECT: SECURITY OBSERVATIONS AT QATAR'S ENERGY PORTS REF: DOHA 311 Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D. ¶1. (C) Summary. Security at Qatar's most important ports, Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, currently meet the basic standards for infrastructure protection but many improvements could be made. Both ports are in the process of upgrading security with new equipment including x-ray units for passenger cars and jet skis for patrolling. Ras Laffan is better protected than Mesaieed; its larger traffic flow and higher priority cargo has resulted in increased attention. Officials at both sites use the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS) to push for more equipment, people, and training and have not encountered much resistance from senior Qatar Petroleum and industrial city officials. End Summary. -------------- RAS LAFFAN -------------- ¶2. (C) Ras Laffan City Industrial (RLC) is in the beginning stages of a more robust security infrastructure. Currently, all of vehicles entering RLC are visually checked for the proper identification, visitors must stop at the security outpost for a pass to enter. There are plastic cones serving as a vehicle diversion for cars and, during the March 25-30 visit by a U.S. Coast Guard International Port Security Program team, Econoff witnessed some visitors being pulled to the side by RLC security for further inspection. There is a steel fence topped with barbed wire surrounding the immediate entry area and a lighter aluminum fence extending further out. The RLC guards checking vehicles are not armed and there were no Qatari military personnel present. There is a Qatari police station a few kilometers away from Ras Laffan, but Econoff was unable to observe that post. ¶3. (C) Entering RLC end-user areas and the port there is another security checkpoint manned by unarmed guards. Employees must have an identification pass to get through the entry gate, and each area is protected by its own fencing. RLC port monitors cars entering and leaving the port area with video cameras. Inside the liquefied natural gas (LNG) compounds, there are additional manned security checkpoints at the entry to the LNG trains and chain-link fencing separating the different train areas. ¶4. (C) Ras Laffan is implementing numerous new security measures and plans to install new equipment as part of its 2009 port expansion. Ras Laffan will take more control of port operations by becoming the sole operator whereas currently each end user works on the loading and offloading of their own ships. RLC plans to purchase a mobile backscatter, an Omni arts scanner, two new boats and more heavy duty fencing. The port will also have pop-up barriers at the gate, electronic boom barriers, and expanded closed circuit television. The Qatari military will have a greater presence at the new port, with both sea and land forces stationed there. ¶5. (C) While the RLC port receives a lot of traffic 1076 ship arrivals as of February this year, 72 of which were LNG tankers RLC officials cite laborers as their biggest concern. Security officials stated they strictly enforce the rules for security infractions which often results in the offenders being sent back to their home countries. Laborers often get in fights, bypass security fences, or are caught in alcohol-related incidents. Non-payment of wages is also an issue; this is attributed to the sub-contractors rather than the international companies or primary contractors. -------------- MESAIEED -------------- ¶6. (C) Mesaieed also has a perimeter hard fence with barbed wire on top; there is also a double layer of fencing to protect the petrochemical storage tanks at the front of the industrial area. All vehicles entering the industrial area are stopped to present identification and visitors must be pre-registered to enter (Comment: As a testament of this, the Embassy delegation was held at the gate by security to ascertain if last minute changes to the group would be allowed on. Eventually the entire group was permitted inside.) There are no vehicle-diversion cones at the entrance and no pop-up barriers installed). ¶7. (C) The port area has an additional manned and gated entrance, and the entire port area is fenced off from the rest of the industrial city. The port guards randomly search vehicles entering the area, according to Mesaieed officials. While Messaieed does not have the force multipliers of RLC such as closed circuit television or audible alarms, they are in the process of upgrading. New pop-up barriers and an extra backscatter will be purchased, and a new fence was installed to comply with international standards. Mesaieed officials opined that "money is a factor" for them but when a program is tied to ISPS regulations they are usually successful in getting funding. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) While both cities are improving their security infrastructures, the commercial cost of increased security still prevails. These two ports are the backbones of the Qatari economy as the point of destination for the oil and gas resources. Qatar appears to have made the decision to minimize factors that may impede exports. In their effort to balance security with the commerce, the Qataris are likely to be open to suggestions on how to continue their improvements but still maintain their business aspirations. UNTERMEYER UNTERMEYER