Why it matters

The pledge describes straits used for international navigation as “global lifelines” rather than regional waterways. Their safety and security depend on three things: respect for international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), restraint by all parties, and sustained multilateral cooperation.

The text calls UNCLOS “the constitution of the oceans” and stresses that the Convention is universal and unified. It sets the legal framework for all activities at sea, and the supporters say its integrity has to be maintained.

The pledge also notes that recent disruptions to maritime routes, including in strategically vital waterways, have shown what happens when these principles are disregarded. The effects reached international trade, energy flows, supply chains and food security. Imposing restrictions, conditions or discriminatory measures on lawful passage through international straits would, it warns, “set a dangerous precedent for global strategic waterways.”

Three commitments

Supporters commit to:

1. Champion multilateral cooperation. They will work within and support international and regional maritime governance, safety and security institutions, in particular the International Maritime Organization (IMO). They will also back defensive, non-escalatory initiatives that preserve freedom of navigation.
2. Reject coercion and unilateral action. They will reject any coercive or unilateral action that undermines or circumvents the rules-based order under UNCLOS.
3. Oppose measures that hamper lawful navigation. These include unlawful fees and tolls, discriminatory restrictions, prior-authorisation requirements and other conditions on passage through international straits. Supporters also oppose attempts to change the legal framework that governs the right of passage.

Read the full text

The full pledge and the list of supporting countries are on the EEAS website.

For more info: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/pledge-maintaining-integrity-international-law-sea_en

L’article EU and 33 countries back pledge to keep international straits free of fees and tolls est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The action impacted on five priority criminal markets — drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, document fraud, firearms trafficking and environmental crime — and resulted in seizures exceeding 156.9 tonnes of drugs, along with 201 weapons, 3131 units of ammunition and explosives, 803wild animals and livestock, US$135.000 in cash and cryptocurrencies, 0.83 kg of gold, 169 properties, 464 pieces of jewellery, 468 fraudulent documents and 1 vehicle. Furthermore, 18 victims were rescued and attended.

 35 countries from Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and other regions took part, together with regional and international organisations includingAMERIPOL, CARICOM IMPACS, EUROPOL, FRONTEX, INTERPOL, MAOC(N) and RSS. Australia, Montenegro, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and theUnited States of America played a pivotal role in information and intelligence sharing, as well as in operational actions.

Operation ATLAS NEXUS has led to the identification and dismantling of dozens of transnational criminal networks in a coordinated international action bringingtogether law enforcement, customs and judicial authorities from Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and other regions of the world. In terms of the volume ofseizures and the number of countries involved, it is the largest joint operation against organised crime carried out to date between both regions.Led by the Belgian Federal Police, the operation was coordinated and conducted jointly by Operational Action 6.1 of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) focused on the Most Threatening Criminal Networksand Individuals (MTCNI), FRONTEX and CARICOM IMPACS, facilitated by EL PACCTO 2.0, the European Union’s flagship cooperation programme with Latin America and the Caribbean on security and justice, which supported the coordination between the various actors involved on both sides of the Atlantic. The operation focused on identifying and disrupting polycriminal networks and high-value targets, seize criminal assets and initiate further investigations, across five priority criminal markets: drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, document fraud, firearms trafficking and environmental crime. Its most significant outcome lies not only in the volume of what was seized – 156,9 tonnes, but in the number of criminal structures identified and dismantled. The more than 490 arrests correspond to the disruption of multiple networks whose routes connect both regions. Faced with organisations operating on an international scale, intercepting shipments is not enough: the aim is to dismantle the structures that make them possible and to deprive them of the resources that sustain them. Among the actions carried out, particular note should be taken of the identification and dismantling of the first cocaine processing laboratory detected in Ireland, as well as two new illegal gold mining sites in French Guiana. Seizures include 37,6 tonnes of cocaine, 118,6 tonnes of cannabis, 201 firearms, 3131 units of ammunition and explosives, 803 wild animals and livestock, US$135,000 in cash and cryptocurrencies, 0.83 kg of gold, 169 properties, 464 pieces of jewellery, 468 fraudulent documents and 1 vehicle. 37 INTERPOL notices were issued during the operation, 17 of them were red. A coordinated response between regions  More than 8,680 police officers and justice authorities took part in the various national operational actions to monitor 110 aircraft, 28 vessels, 415 vehicles and 271 containers at 28 designated checkpoints in ports, airports and on roads. A total of 595 search warrants were executed. Authorities from 35 countries took part in the operation. Among those reporting the most significant results are Australia, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Ireland, Montenegro, Paraguay, Portugal, Suriname and Sweden. Alongside countries from Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina also joined the action. Both the French Armed Forces High Command in the Antilles and FRONTEX made naval assets available for interception operations. Australia played a key role in the seizure of more than 5.6 tonnes of cocaine. As a result, new modi operandi and routes have been identified.

The operation also involved the participation of regional and internationalorganisations —AMERIPOL, CARICOM IMPACS, EUROPOL, FRONTEX, INTERPOL, MAOC(N) and the Regional Security System (RSS)— as well as the collaboration of the European programmes EUCRIMARIO and SEACOP VI, and the Italian-fundedInterpol I-CAN programme, whose interconnection with West Africa and Asia were important for the operation.

The coordination between this wide range of actors proved decisive in connecting information from different jurisdictions and acting simultaneously against networks operating across several continents. The results build on different criminal profiling meetings organised by EL PACCTO 2.0 and EMPACT MTCNI, and a pre-operational phase co-organised in Panama City in April 2026 by EMPACT MTCNI, FRONTEX, CARICOM IMPACS and EL PACCTO 2.0, which set out the operational plan and the intelligence-led approach that guided the action, followed by preparatory work with all participating countries on the identification of high-value targets and the modi operandi to be targeted.

L’article EU-LAC joint operation ATLAS NEXUS dismantles dozens of criminal networks in the largest bi-regional operation est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

What is the GRES-Puertos Stretegy ?

Designed to complement existing European and international initiatives, GRES-PUERTOS focuses on operational coordination, improving joint operations, and deploying special investigative techniques to combat organized crime effectively.

The aim is not just to focus on seizures but to strengthen regional security frameworks and strategic collaboration.

As the final report with key conclusions is being prepared, SEACOP is planning a first operational meeting for mid-November, where focal points from participating countries will begin putting the presented methodology into practice.

This effort is supported by projects CRIMARIO, PCBT, the EU Bilateral Project in Peru, RFAI, and various EMPACT initiatives, highlighting the power of international cooperation in tackling global threats.

(Source: https://illicitflows.eu/launch-of-seacop-gres-port-strategy/)

L’article Strengthening International Cooperation in Maritime Security est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

During the dialogue, the EU and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and international law, and emphasized their resolve to uphold the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides the legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out. They underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal States, and their maritime entitlements in accordance with international law, particularly the UNCLOS and its dispute settlement mechanisms, and calling for full and faithful compliance with the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award rendered by the arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with UNCLOS. They further emphasized their unwavering commitment to respect the rights and freedoms under UNCLOS, including freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

The EU and the Philippines reiterated their strong opposition against illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions in the South China Sea, and welcomed frank and sincere diplomatic engagements in this regard. The Philippines underscored its appreciation for the EU’s timely, consistent, and decisive statements in line with international law and in support of the rules-based international order. They expressed serious concern over unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability and the rules-based international order, including recent incidents in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Such activities also include those which damage the seabed and marine environment, interfere with the livelihoods of fishing communities and undermine the Philippines’ food security. They urged parties to refrain from the threat or use of force and from adding uncertainty to the region through unilateral acts. Maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means and in accordance with the dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS.

They also took the opportunity to echo the call of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Security Council, among others, for respect for the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, and for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. They agreed to look into international cooperation on timely and practical initiatives, such as enhanced awareness for seafarers navigating high-risk areas and sharing real-time threat intelligence, which would be crucial in bolstering the safety and security of seafarers. At the same time, they also highlighted the recent United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/56/L.4) titled, “Promoting and Protecting the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Seafarers”, which reaffirms that safe and decent living and working conditions at sea is a human rights imperative. They also expressed their appreciation to the global maritime sector for prioritizing the safety of seafarers, and giving due regard to the right of seafarers to refuse to sail in designated high-risk areas.

The EU and the Philippines highlighted specific areas for further engagements and cooperation on a range of maritime issues, including on maritime security, maritime domain awareness, regional security, addressing non-traditional security threats, and coast guard cooperation, taking cognizance of the EU Maritime Security Strategy, as well as maritime education, training, and certification and safety at sea, and maritime environmental protection, particularly in line with the obligation of States to protect and preserve the marine environment under UNCLOS. They highlighted progress on ongoing projects such as ESIWA, CRIMARIO with its IORIS platform, and the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) Seafarers Technical Assistance Project, aimed at supporting maritime safety and the continued enhancement of maritime education, training, and certification system for Filipino seafarers, as well as in the ASEAN region. They agreed to further explore training, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices. They also expressed their eagerness to identify specific areas where their combined efforts can provide the most value, and at the same time complement existing collaborations with other like-minded partners.

To read more https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/philippines-second-subcommittee-maritime-cooperation-european-union-takes-place-manila_en#:~:text=The%20EU%20and%20the%20Philippines%20highlighted%20specific%20areas%20for%20further,cognizance%20of%20the%20EU%20Maritime

L’article Philippines: second Subcommittee on Maritime Cooperation with the European Union takes place in Manila est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

To read more: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/04/22/maritime-security-eu-to-become-an-observer-of-the-djibouti-code-of-conductjeddah-amendment/

L’article Maritime Security: EU to become an observer of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Operation ASPIDES will ensure an EU naval presence in the area where numerous Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels since October 2023. In close cooperation with like-minded international partners, ASPIDES will contribute to safeguard maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation, especially for merchant and commercial vessels. Within its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany vessels,and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea.

The operation will be active along the main sea lines of communication in the Baab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as international waters in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf.

The Operation Commander will be Commodore Vasilios Griparis, and the Force Commander will be Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino. The Operation headquarters will be based in Larissa, Greece.

Operation ASPIDES will coordinate closely with the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea,  as well as, with like-minded partners contributing to maritime security in its area of operation.

For further information: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/02/19/security-and-freedom-of-navigation-in-the-red-sea-council-launches-new-eu-defensive-operation/

L’article Security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea: EU Council launches EUNAVFOR ASPIDES est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

L’article Maritime Security: EU updates Strategy to safeguard maritime domain against new threats est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

L’article MICA center annual report is out est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

2021 saw a significant drop in the number of maritime piracy and robbery events, with a total of 317 incidents worldwide, compared to 375 in 2020, a drop of 15%.

This decrease is particularly significant in the Gulf of Guinea, where the number of incidents is exceptionally low, with 52 events recorded. This drop, which should however be confirmed in the next months, is analysed as the combination of the strict application by crews of the Best Management Practices West Africa, and the growing awareness among international and regional actors, who are now taking concrete action against maritime insecurity in the area, and are trying to provide themselves an appropriate legal framework.

However, from the Americas to South-East Asia, including the Indian Ocean, all maritime areas are facing an increasing number of other insecurity factors. For the first time in its annual report, thanks to the help of its French and foreign partners, the MICA Center assesses all the threats affecting each of these areas: illegal fishing, smuggling, human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, inter-state conflicts and terrorist attacks.

Dedicated to the analysis and assessment of the maritime security situation, and centralising alerts in case of an attack at sea, the MICA Center collects and forwards relevant information to the partners who subscribe to its free services. This annual report summarises the reports regularly sent to the maritime industry and analyses the trends observed as well as the evolution of modes of action.

Download the 2021 Annual Review

L’article Maritime Security: MICA Center Annual Review est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

With the Strategic Compass, Member States will set out a common strategic vision for EU security and defence for the next 5-10 years. Building on a common assessment of the threats and challenges we face, the Compass will provide operational guidelines to enable the EU to become a stronger security provider and a more responsible and reliable partner, namely when it comes to responding to external crises, building the capacity of partners and protecting the Union and its citizens.[1]

As proposed to Member States, the Strategic Compass will set policy orientations, specific goals and objectives in four work strands:

• Act: we need an EU able to act rapidly and robustly whenever a crisis erupts, with partners if possible and alone when necessary;
• Secure: we need to enhance our ability to anticipate threats, guarantee secure access to strategic domains and protect our citizens;
• Invest: we need to invest more and better in capabilities and innovative technologies, fill strategic gaps and reduce technological and industrial dependencies;
• Partner: we need to strengthen our cooperation with partners to address common threats and challenges.

These four strands are interconnected. The Strategic Compass is a guide for action. It puts forward concrete actions with timelines to measure our progress in the implementation.

Read more

L’article Questions and answers: a background for the Strategic Compass est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

In celebration of World Maritime Day on 30 September 2021, the EU Delegation to ASEAN shares the following information about EU actions in maritime security that also involve ASEAN member states:

– a fact sheet Maritime Security for Europe and Asia
– a printed interview with Mr Martin Cauchi-Inglott, Team Leader of the EU-supported project CRItical MAritime Routes Indian Ocean II (CriMaRIO II)
– a podcast EU-Asia security experts tell us why our oceans need protection, featuring:

• Ms Joanneke Balfoort, Director for Security and Defence Policy in the European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Ms Marianne Peron-Doise, Strategic Advisor in the project CRIMARIO II, and
• Mr Mitchito Tsuruoka, Associate Professor at Keio University, Japan.

L’article EU actions in maritime security with ASEAN countries est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The Council approved conclusions on an EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, setting out the EU’s intention to reinforce its strategic focus, presence and actions in this region of prime strategic importance for EU interests. The aim is to contribute to regional stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, at a time of rising challenges and tensions in the region.

The renewed EU commitment to the Indo-Pacific, a region spanning from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific island states, will have a long-term focus and will be based on upholding democracy, human rights, the rule of law and respect for international law.

Current dynamics in the Indo-Pacific have given rise to intense geopolitical competition adding to increasing tensions on trade and supply chains as well as in technological, political and security areas. Human rights are also being challenged. These developments increasingly threaten the stability and security of the region and beyond, directly impacting on the EU’s interests.

Consequently, the EU’s approach and engagement will look to foster a rules-based international order, a level playing field, as well as an open and fair environment for trade and investment, reciprocity, the strengthening of resilience, tackling climate change and supporting connectivity with the EU. Free and open maritime supply routes in full compliance with international law remain crucial. The EU will look to work together with its partners in the Indo-Pacific on these issues of common interest.

The EU will continue to develop partnerships in the areas of security and defence, including to address maritime security, malicious cyber activities, disinformation, emerging technologies, terrorism, and organised crime.

The EU and its regional partners will also work together in order to mitigate the economic and human effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards ensuring an inclusive and sustainable socio-economic recovery.

The Council tasked the High Representative and the Commission with putting forward a Joint Communication on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by September 2021.

The conclusions were adopted by the Council by written procedure.

Read the full article

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Stop Illegal Fishing, Trygg Mat Tracking and their partners have produced the ‘Document Verification Manual: Vessel Identity’ to provide practical training and case studies illustrating how document verification has been used to uncover cases of illegal fishing.

In 2018, INTERPOL warned about resurgence in fraudulent abuse of flag State registries for fishing vessels, which confirmed what had been observed through investigations by the FISH-i Africa and West Africa Task Forces and internationally in the past years. Yet, little information is available on vessel identity fraud and how this widespread fisheries crime is facilitated by document forgery.

This manual focuses on vessel identity, nationality, authorisation status, operational history, and related fraudulent practices, and primarily looks into what a vessel “says” about itself, rather than what the catch “says”. The use of genuine documents obtained by corruption or deception, documents that have been doctored, fake documents that have been created and the use of documents incorrectly are considered.

Read more and download the Verification Manual: Vessel Identity in English, French and Portuguese.

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Nairobi, 8 July 2019 – Kenya’s efforts to position the blue economy sector as a key driver of the country’s transformation today received a major boost with the commissioning of the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa County.

President Kenyatta led hundreds of maritime sector stakeholders at the ceremony during which he announced a raft of reforms the government is undertaking to secure both local and international seafaring jobs for Kenyan youth.

The President said the new institution will be key in equipping young Kenyans with the requisite skills and knowhow to enable them compete favourably for employment opportunities in the vast blue economy sector.

“The Academy is expected to become a top supplier of world class seafarers for shipping lines all over the world,” the President said.

As a pointer to its strategic importance to the country’s economy, Bandari Maritime Academy will partner with the Kenya Utalii College, the Kisumu Maritime Centre and also establish twinning arrangements with the Mediterrranean Shipping Company (MSC) Training Academy based in Naples, Italy.

“I am confident that the enhanced training will bring out the best in our talented young people,” said President Kenyatta.

The transformation of the college into a centre of excellence in maritime training and research is envisaged to facilitate the country’s quest to reap maximum benefits from the  blue economy sector, an agenda that the President has given undivided attention.

It is estimated that blue economy, if properly harnessed, has the potential to inject up to 4.8 billion US dollars to Kenya’s economy and create over 52,000 jobs in the next 10 years.

At the ceremony, the President announced the revival of the Kenya National Shipping Line (KNSL) and witnessed the signing of a new shareholding agreement between KNSL, Kenya Ports Authority and the MSC aimed at restoring the state corporation into a world class shipping company.

L’article Boost for blue economy as President Kenyatta commissions Bandari Maritime Academy est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The chairmanship will afford  Kenya the opportunity to coordinate regional and international efforts to deal with the challenge of piracy which remains a threat to the Maritime sector, despite being suppressed in recent times.

The unanimous decision was made at the 22nd Plenary Session of the group held on 20th June 2019 in Balaclava, Mauritius.

Maritime security is key to Kenya’s national security and the blue economy agenda.

While delivering her speech at the session, Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said Kenya will work with all member states and stakeholders to ensure that efforts of the international community to deter and combat piracy activities through enhanced maritime surveillance, patrols and monitoring and capacity building remain agile and effective.

She was flanked by the Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwamba.

Omamo said Kenya  will further endeavor to enhance information sharing amongst all stakeholders.

“This is key for effective coordination of counter-piracy programmes. As chair, Kenya will endeavor to provide strong leadership to consolidate the work done by Mauritius and the previous chairs and to secure the legacy of the group,” she said.

Read the original article published by The Star

L’article Kenya elected to chair Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.