Altas Ambarlı is the largest port of Turkey and an important hub between the Black Sea Region and the Far East. The Kumport terminal, which is located near Istanbul on the European side of the Bosphorus, is an active part of the port since 1994.Thanks to its steadily rising turnover and coincidental investments in human resources and technology, it has become one of the most modern terminals in Turkey. Currently Kumport tranships an annual volume of more than 1,700,000 TEU and a further increase is expected.

Due to the conformity certification in 2004, the port management engaged itself to follow the guidelines of the “International Ship and Port Facility Security Code” (ISPS Code). Amongst other things, the ISPS Code demands a continuous surveillance of the entire port area in order to prevent accidents and to minimize safety hazards. Not an easy task for a huge area which houses cargo ships from all over the world and is frequented by masses of people each day. To be able to respond quickly to events, a flexible video management solution which informs actively about potential safety hazards is essential.

An analogue system which had already been operating since the official certification proved not to be sufficient and needed to be extended. The port management made the following demands on the technology: With a further piece of software, the work of the security personnel on site should not be made more difficult but rather take the load off the staff with an intuitive and simple handling.

Additionally, the accessibility via various – and also mobile – platforms such as smartphones was an important point. For the elucidation of past incidents, the archive footage should be usable, so that a considerable storage volume is required for this purpose. In case of an enlargement of the complex, the security solution should be able to grow along without any problems.

With the help of the Seetec Multi Solution Platform, all requirements could be met. Its unique system approach serves individual customer wishes and provides adjusted solutions that focus on the user’s needs. The pivotal point of the solution is the Seetec core software. As a modular toolkit, the Seetec Multi Solution Platform also provides a number of additional modules and interfaces to third party systems such as access control solutions or burglar alarm systems.

Seetec systems can thus be adapted to new demands (amount of cameras, additional features) at any time. Seetec was also ablt to convince the client based on having a branch on site and a support hotline available in the national language.

48 out of 56 legacy cameras were replaced by IP cameras. Currently the system contains 98 cameras in total. These are positioned at strategically important points such as port access road, building entrances and ship berths. The records are stored on a server. This has a storage capactiy of 35 Tb to be able to provide the recorded footage as long as possible. The video recordings are viewed and evaluated in three operations centres in total. Two of these are located in the administration building – in the security department and at the port management – and one in Gümrüklü Warehouse Area. Six people have access to the recordings – including four safety experts, the management board and the warehouse manager.

In addition to the Seetec Enterprise Clients included in the package, especially the Seetec Web Client and the Mobile Client for Iphone, Ipad and Android are frequently employed at Kumport. The Web Client is used to access the Seetec system from any PC without prior software installation. Furthermore, the security personnel are constantly in action and it should be possible to alert them underway in case of emergency. With 16 client licenses, the port is optimally equipped for the current needs but can also be easily adapted to the further development of the port. Six of the licenses mentioned only have limited rights. In this case, this means that a previously defined part of the users is able to view the camera recordings but not to edit (e.g. export) them. Thus the confidential handling of the sensitive video data is ensured.

Serkan Simsek, IT deputy manager and project director at Kumport, is extremely satisfied with the solution: “Seetec has provided us with its simple management option that allows integration and usage of a great amount of cameras. We are now always following the new software versions with interest to eventually be able to upgrade our facilities. The new system facilitates work for our security personnel and ensures more precise results. Seetec has more than met our expectations. We are pleased to collaborate with Seetec.”