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Amsterdam beefs up river cruise security

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Nighttime surveillance will increase at the busiest river cruise locations (Photo: Amsterdam Cruise Port)
Port of Amsterdam is working to improve the security of river cruise vessels and passengers at Western Europe's leading turnaround point for river cruises.

'We attach great importance to the security of our visitors. Recently, to our regret, we received several reports regarding burglaries taking place on board the river cruise ships docked in our port area,' sald Alma Prins, sales manager-cruise, Port of Amsterdam.

As a result, the port stepped up monitoring of its river cruise mooring locations and the busiest river cruise locations in the Amsterdam port area will get extra surveillance at night, Prins said.

For the added surveillance the port tapped M&M Security, a company with vast experience in ocean cruise ship security that also carries out security assignments for river cruise companies.

'Sea cruise security is statutory-regulated through an ISPS Code and all checks, security and X-ray scanning of passengers and luggage is executed by certified officials. But for river cruise ships there are hardly any security regulations,' said Mo Khalfaoui, md, M&M Security.

M&M Security will be deployed for nighttime surveillance and security at these locations: De Ruijterkade, quays 17 and 18; De Ruijterkade Oost, quays A, B, C and D; De Ruijterkade West, Veemkade (PTA) and Javakade.

'We are happy to have found an experienced partner in M&M Security to support us in our pursuit to improve river cruise security in the Amsterdam port area,' said Koen Overtoom, ceo, Port of Amsterdam.

'Together with the river cruise shipping companies, we are going to research how we can further explore this subject in depth for future developments,' Overtoom added. 'In any case, we will take the lead this season and next season, pursuing an optimum customer experience.'

River cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors of Amsterdam's tourism industry. This year alone, more than 1,800 river cruise vessels and well over 450,000 passengers are calling.