North Sea Port has launched Plan Argos, a coordinated strategy to combat organised drug crime across its multimodal port, linking road, rail and waterways across Europe.
Led by the port authority, the initiative brings together government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to create a “smart and resilient port” using technology and staff vigilance to prevent illegal activity.
The port’s 60-kilometre operational area, interspersed with residential communities, is open and accessible, a strength for trade but a challenge for security.
Criminal networks increasingly target North Sea Port to smuggle cocaine and other drugs, often accompanied by bribery attempts and violence.
Unlike container terminals, the port handles bulk cargo such as grain, timber and liquids, making inspection difficult as contraband is often hidden beneath or within technical spaces.
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Between 2021 and 2025, only a quarter of high-risk vessels could be effectively inspected, highlighting the need for a tailored approach.
Plan Argos was developed in partnership with Ghent University, commissioned by Carina Van Cauter, Governor of East Flanders, and funded through Belgium’s National Drug Commissioner’s drugs fund.
The strategy integrates scientific research and local insights to strengthen situational awareness, introduce technical and physical barriers, reinforce collaboration between public and private actors, and foster a culture of reporting.
A total of 69 concrete actions are outlined under a governance model that ensures coordinated follow-up across all stakeholders.
Central to this coordination is the Harbour Master, who connects the port authority with local and federal police, customs, the Public Prosecution Service, and private terminal operators, ensuring information flows efficiently and responses are aligned.
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Plan Argos builds on earlier security initiatives dating back to 2018, including the establishment of Havik, later rebranded as Portwatch, which has received 75 reports since 2024, prompting a major drugs investigation.
Implementation is already underway, with the deployment of a bespoke camera network across the port and the introduction of the Port Pass, a biometric digital access system developed by Ghent-based scale-up Peripass, replacing paper-based identity checks.
Named after Argos, the all-seeing giant of Greek mythology, Plan Argos aims to provide continuous oversight across North Sea Port.
By combining technology, coordination, and a culture of vigilance, the plan seeks to make the port safer and more resilient against organised crime.
The rollout of Plan Argos followed broader efforts at North Sea Port to modernise operations, including the recent opening of a new charging hub for electric trucks in Ghent, aimed at supporting low-emission freight transport connected to port logistics.
For more information:
North Sea Port – https://www.northseaport.com/en
