To cope with market requirements and the development of the industry, YICT is equipped with leading-edge security equipment to ensure a safe gateway for shipping lines and shippers.

Currently, about 80% of world trade volume moves in shipments. How to ensure security for vessels, ports and cargo has become a hot topic in the port industry around the world. At present, YICT has applied Radio Frequency Identity (RFID), which is the most advanced port security technology in the world, to ensure security all the way from port to port, allowing YICT to become one of the most secure international ports and it has achieved this at the fastest pace.

RFID Secures Cargo Movement via Yantian
Firstly, shippers have their cargo loaded into a container at a warehouse. An electronic lock is then installed in the laden container and an RFID electronic tag seal is set. Computers in the control centre start to record the time and status of the container throughout the whole process of road transportation, in real time.

Secondly, the container is delivered to the port by a trucking company. At this point, the RFID at the terminal container yard (CY) also starts to monitor the whole process of movements. The RFID sensors and readers installed at the top of gatehouses read the container's RFID electronic tag as it passes through, and transmit the data to the CY server via a cable network. The server then transmits the data to the control centre's computer database, which records container movement information for shippers, the terminal and the relevant port administration departments. In this way, with their pre-set accounts on the internet, these parties are able to check online the shipping order, arrival time and security status of the container.

Thirdly, as a container is being loaded onboard, the RFID reader installed on the quay crane records the loading time and confirms when the container is stowed and secured prior to the container vessel departing for its destination port.

Finally, when the vessel arrives at its destination port, the local security operators obtain the information from the RFID readers on their own quay cranes. Consignees are also able to track the container's data throughout the whole transportation process from the country of export to the importing country at the same time as they receive their container. This marks the happy end to a safe journey of a container monitored by RFID.

RFID has been applied to all of YICT's quay cranes, gatehouses and berths. The technology ensures a more secure monitoring service for cargo when transporting via Yantian, thus ensuring safe, smooth and efficient cargo delivery to European and American markets.

Container x-ray screening
In addition to monitoring container transportation in real time, how can one detect and identify illegal cargo entering the port, including radioactive materials and deadly arms? This is another key area for the port in its fight against terrorism. Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology (NII) is one of the solutions.

With NII, it is possible to screen containers using X-ray or gamma rays. This then allows accurate analysis of the data to tell if the contents contain any radioactive materials, without actually opening the containers.

YICT continues to build a world class safe gateway
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) held a conference, "Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974", in December 2002. This gathering adopted special measures to enhance maritime security, particularly the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

On 30 June 2004, the Ministry of Communications (MOC) organised various port and ship security exercises at YICT to practise the application of the IMO's ISPS Code.  Subsequent to the successful completion of the exercises, the MOC granted YICT one of the country's first "Port Facility Security Certificates".