Port Tarragona tests its emergency response in a simulated explosive device drill at Tarragona Cruise Port terminal.
The exercise took place in two locations: the cruise terminal and the urban area of Moll de Costa.
The operation involved the Port Police, Mossos d’Esquadra, Tarragona Municipal Police, National Police, Civil Guard, Maritime Authority, and Maritime Rescue.
The aim of the drill was to test port security procedures and improve coordination among all parties involved.
On Thursday, January 22, Port Tarragona conducted a port security drill to test its response to a potential explosive device threat within the port area. The exercise took place at the cruise terminal, where a suspicious package was identified, and at Moll de Costa, where a vehicle and subsequently a person were identified. Around fifty personnel from the Port Police, Mossos d’Esquadra, Tarragona Municipal Police, National Police, Civil Guard, Maritime Authority, and Maritime Rescue participated. The goal of the drill was to verify procedures, particularly those related to explosive threats, and assess coordination among the involved agencies. Throughout the year, Port Tarragona conducts around ten drills to evaluate protocols and prepare teams to respond quickly and effectively in case of an emergency.
The scenario for this port security exercise assumed that a person with authorized access to the restricted port area entered the port in a vehicle and drove to the cruise terminal at Moll de Balears. Near the terminal, the individual left a suspicious package. They then exited the port in the same vehicle, parked in the lot in front of Shelter 1 at Moll de Costa, and fled the scene.
The drill began with an anonymous call to the Port Police emergency number (900 229 900), alerting authorities to the presence of a suspicious package near the terminal. Following the alert, service heads at the Port Control Center (CCP) notified the Civil Guard and Mossos d’Esquadra, and subsequently the Maritime Authority, which then contacted Maritime Rescue. From the CCP, security camera footage was reviewed to identify and track the vehicle involved. The vehicle was located in the urban port area, and images of the individual were obtained, allowing Mossos d’Esquadra and Tarragona Municipal Police personnel to identify the person.
Participation of TEDAX Teams
This port security exercise involved the participation of TEDAX units and canine teams from both the Civil Guard and Mossos d’Esquadra. The Civil Guard’s TEDAX unit intervened at the cruise terminal, where it identified the suspicious package, cordoned off a security perimeter, and deactivated the device.
The Mossos d’Esquadra TEDAX unit participated in the urban part of the port, specifically in the parking lot in front of Shelter 1, where the suspicious individual had parked the vehicle after leaving the port area. The unit secured the perimeter and, together with the canine team, inspected the vehicle to ensure no additional explosives were present.
Around Fifty Personnel Involved
Approximately fifty personnel from various security forces took part in the exercise. The Civil Guard provided the vehicle and person acting as the threat, as well as TEDAX units, the canine unit, fiscal patrol, maritime service, judicial police, and intelligence services. Mossos d’Esquadra participated in security operations in the public areas of the port with citizen security patrols, TEDAX, canine units, and intelligence services.
The Tarragona Municipal Police also operated in the public areas with citizen security patrols and a drone unit. The National Police provided personnel to verify the identity of the suspicious individual. The Port Police conducted drone operations to monitor the cruise terminal area, deployed ground patrols, and coordinated the operation from the Port Control Center.
Verifying Procedures and Coordination
The objective of the drill was to test the effectiveness of procedures included in the port security plan regarding explosive threats. The exercise also evaluated the activation of higher-level security protocols and the implementation of additional security measures, both at the terminal and throughout the port. Moreover, the exercise allowed authorities to reassess the efficiency of alert and coordination procedures among all involved parties.
Port Tarragona conducts around ten exercises per year, including operational drills like this one, tabletop exercises, practical sessions, security workshops, and internal sessions, to continually test and improve its plans and protocols for all types of emergencies. Some drills involve full deployment of personnel and resources, as in this exercise, allowing for the analysis of tools and the response provided. Other drills are tabletop exercises, conducted in the APT emergency management room, to evaluate coordination between different agencies through simulation.
In addition to these exercises, other types of drills are carried out, such as embarkation and disembarkation practices or testing of protective and preventive equipment. These activities ensure that teams are trained to provide a rapid, effective, and coordinated response in the event of an incident.
