Ports Target Modern Slavery and People Trafficking with New Industry Guidance

The British Ports Association (BPA) has launched new guidance for ports and terminals on combatting modern slavery, people trafficking, and people smuggling at an event at the House of Commons.

The guide can be downloaded here: Download the Guide (PDF)
Maritime Minister Mike Kane MP spoke at the launch, welcoming industry efforts to act against these growing threats. BPA Chair Mike Sellers also spoke alongside the launch sponsor, Amanda Martin, the MP for Portsmouth North. Attendees included senior representatives from the ports and shipping industry as well as charities involved in supporting seafarers and victims of trafficking and slavery, as well as government agencies.

Lisa LewisAuthor of the Report and Risk & Sustainability Director, Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Plymouth and Senior Director of Security for Europe Region, DP World said:

“The guide is designed around five core recommendations and is scalable so that ports of any size and capacity should be able to use it to improve their posture against the evils of modern slavery and people trafficking as well as smuggling and threats posed by organised crime. The goal is better planning, enhanced collaboration and putting in place a culture of empowerment that gives port workers the confidence to challenge things that don’t look right.”

The guide provides practical information and case studies to help ports develop and implement their own programme to tackle Modern Slavery and Smuggling. Modern slavery, trafficking and smuggling have common challenges, signs and perpetrators and so action to target them needs to be holistic. It is designed around five core recommendations:

  1. Having a policy of zero tolerance
  2. Training port staff on what to look for and how to report incidents
  3. Collecting, evaluating and sharing data on incident
  4. Seeking out collaborators in the value chain to coordinate and cooperate with
  5. Disclosing activity with a modern slavery statement

It has been designed to complement and support other risk and control frameworks.

Mike Sellers Director of Portsmouth International Port & BPA Chair commented:

“I am delighted to launch this guidance and immensely grateful to Lisa Lewis and others that have given up their time to produce this guide. I have no doubt it will eventually save lives as our industry plays its part in tackling the scourge of modern slavery and people trafficking.”

Andy BillingsGroup Head of Security, ABP and Chair, BPA & UKMPG Security & Resilience Group also commented:

“It’s brilliant to see the ports industry taking proactive steps to address risks and threats with this guide. Industry networks allow what is a highly competitive sector to come together and collaborate in areas that need a united front to stop criminals exploiting weak links and blind spots. There is always a benefit for us in learning from experiences elsewhere as we seek to work together to reduce crime and make our ports safer.”