Vulnerability assessment of offshore terminals in the Sultanate of Oman: The case of a security audit for SPM Terminal of Mina al Fahal

Abstract

Nowadays, the pressure for enhanced attention to critical infrastructure security and the focused concern on threats emanating from both domestic and foreign terrorist groups have fostered new challenges for Petrochemical Seaports and Offshore Terminals (PSOTs). These tendencies dictate to maintain comprehensive security regimens that can be integrated with national and international strategies to support the country’s security against terrorism. Therefore, the need for a Security Risk Management (SRM) programme will be an essential part of the business of running a seaport particularly if the addressed port or terminal is handling hazardous chemicals produced from a nearby plant or refinery for export purposes. As a result, by the use of a case study in this paper, the identified security risk factors for an offshore Single Point Mooring (SPM) terminal located inshore side of the seaport of Mina al Fahal in Sultanate of Oman will be assessed by introducing its designated Security Risk Factor Table (SRFT) in order to examine the vulnerability of the addressed terminal. Consequently, the proposed framework can be used by intelligence analysts or port security and risk managers for the protection of these critical infrastructures. Suitable mitigation measures and further treatments for lessening the impact of a successful terrorist attack or potential likelihood of other threats in PSOTs facilities will be studied carefully.