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.

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RAS LAFFAN
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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.

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MESAIEED
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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.

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COMMENT
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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