Watching the Water and the Skies: Technology as Saint Lucia’s Next Line of Border Defense
Saint Lucia’s ports are the lifeblood of our economy, serving as critical gateways for trade, tourism, and national security. Protecting them is a shared responsibility that the Chamber takes seriously alongside key maritime stakeholders, including Customs and Excise, the Marine Police, and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA).
Recent enforcement successes, including significant interdictions at Port Castries and Vieux Fort, and Saint Lucia’s contribution to a regional customs operation that uncovered concealed firearm parts in freight shipments, highlight the diligence of our frontline officers. These cases also demonstrate how sophisticated trafficking networks have become, creating a timely opportunity for the Chamber to explore how technology can extend and support the work already being done.
One technology attracting global attention is the mobile backscatter X-ray scanner. Available from several established manufacturers, these systems can scan vehicles, containers, and cargo on-site within minutes, identifying anomalies and distinguishing organic materials such as narcotics from surrounding cargo without unloading shipments. Newer mobile units can screen well over a hundred vehicles an hour while complying with international radiation safety standards, making them suitable for high-traffic checkpoints as well as periodic deployment across multiple ports of entry.
Aerial surveillance technology is also advancing rapidly. Tethered and fixed-wing drone systems are already being trialed at ports in Europe to provide continuous monitoring of perimeters and surrounding waters, relaying live video to control rooms and closing gaps beyond the reach of fixed cameras. Newer AI-assisted systems can automatically detect and track vessels approaching the coastline. For an island like Saint Lucia, such systems could significantly strengthen surveillance along stretches of coastline where small boats have historically offloaded cargo away from official checkpoints.
These technologies are not a replacement for the expertise of our Customs officers, Marine Police, or SLASPA security personnel; they are designed to support and extend their reach.
The Chamber welcomes the opportunity to convene stakeholders, including our security agencies, technology providers, and regional partners who have already piloted similar systems, to discuss how these tools might be evaluated and phased in collaboratively. We invite our members and partner agencies to reach out and help further this conversation as we explore practical, innovative solutions to strengthen Saint Lucia’s border security while supporting the safe and efficient movement of trade.