Security on land, at sea and in the air: Port of Aarhus has focus on drones

The Port of Aarhus is Denmark's largest commercial port and is an important part of the Danish infrastructure. This places great demands on security, and as the threat landscape has changed over the past few years, the airspace above the port has also become an area of focus.

In the autumn, several Danish airports experienced unauthorized drones violating their airspace. The airspace above the port is being monitored today with new systems that allow security personnel to detect unauthorized drones over the ISPS secured area.

We are always working to increase security both physically and digitally, and the systems that can monitor airspace have been in the pipeline for several years. However, the changed threat environment and the events of the autumn have prompted us to speed up the work,

says Daniel Møller Jensen, Head of Communications & Press at the Port of Aarhus.

Cooperation with the authorities

Drones periodically fly over the port area in Aarhus. They are used to measure areas or the bulk quantities on them. They are also used around the new construction at the Omni Terminal, and they will be used to take pictures from the air, which are used for commercial purposes

However, all drone flights require a permit from the Port of Aarhus. Otherwise, as a result of a new law, the port has the right to neutralize the drone. A right that can be difficult to exercise in practice.

If, as ports, we are going to start neutralizing the drones, then we are moving into the domain of the authorities and taking on a responsibility that the police and defense side with. These are skills that port employees do not currently possess.

says Tine Kirk, CEO at Danske Havne.

At the port of Aarhus, the procedure remains as always: If an unauthorized drone is flying over the area, it must be handled in dialogue with the relevant authorities.

“There are many contact surfaces between ports and authorities, but the responsibility for airspace lies fundamentally with the authorities. If we experience drones that do not cooperate, they are the ones who have the skills to respond quickly and efficiently,” says Daniel Møller Jensen.

The Port of Aarhus has not yet experienced any unannounced drone activity, but Daniel Møller Jensen stresses that we are closely following what other Danish ports are experiencing.