Sunday, June 22, 2025
Home Port News Europol investigates how criminal networks have infiltrated EU ports

Europol investigates how criminal networks have infiltrated EU ports

Europol has launched a joint analysis report with the Security Steering Committee of the ports of Antwerp, Hamburg/Bremerhaven and Rotterdam that looks into the risk and challenges for law enforcement posed by criminal networks in European Union (EU) ports.

The EU’s critical infrastructure – notably highways, railways and ports – enables the EU way of life, where free movement of goods and people is a foundational and major factor for economic growth, personal freedom and prosperity, according to Europol. Criminal networks, however, driven by the constant desire of growing profits and expansion of their illegal activities, are increasingly working toward the infiltration of and control over major logistical points.

EU ports are examples of such major hubs, which is why the Security Steering Committee of the ports of Antwerp, Hamburg/Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, together with Europol, agreed to draft a joint analysis report assessing the threat of infiltration of port infrastructure by organised crime in the EU.

The main findings of the research are that the use of misappropriated container reference codes (or so-called PIN code fraud) is gaining traction among criminal networks as a modus operandi for extracting illicit goods from ports. Next, criminal networks arrange the infiltration of ports by coordinating local networks of corrupted port insiders.

As a side effect of the criminal operations in ports and the rivalry it entails, violence often spills out of major transportation hubs onto the streets of surrounding cities, where competition for distribution takes place.

Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, commented, “The Europol report on criminal networks in ports illustrates what we are up against. It lays bare the sophistication of criminal drug gangs, their strength, and their savagery.”





Latest Posts

Vigor Marine Group’s consolidation signals US push to counter China’s shipbuilding dominance

In a bold move to strengthen America’s maritime capabilities, five leading US ship repair and marine service providers have united under a single banner. This...

AI reshape shipping operations

The integration of artificial intelligence into shipping operations, is poised to transform competition in the maritime industry by enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability while...

From risk to reliability: The case for specialist freight partners

The freight forwarding landscape is increasingly complex. Importers and exporters are navigating a minefield of shifting customs regulations, stricter environmental pressures, and a rapidly...

Calling Up Innovation: How Large-Format 3D Printing Is Changing the Manufacturing Game

The manufacturing industry has always been at the forefront of adopting new technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and expand creative possibilities. In recent...

Streamlining Lifting Operations: Why Jib Cranes Are Essential for Compact Workspaces

Lifting and moving heavy loads is a critical function in many industrial and commercial settings. Whether in manufacturing plants, warehouses, or workshops, efficient material...
error: Content is protected !!