Protecting the coastline: insights from the Somaliland Coast Guard
Operating along one of the region’s most strategic coastlines, the Somaliland Coast Guard plays a key role in maintaining maritime security. In this interview, Khadar Maxamed Ciise discusses operational challenges, regional cooperation and the growing impact of information sharing through IORIS. What are the biggest operational challenges your agency encounters in securing vessels going in […]
Enhancing Port Security Through Information Sharing: The RECOPORT-ESA 25 Exercise
Sharing critical port security information is essential to ensuring safe and efficient port operations while effectively responding to emerging security challenges. Ports must work closely with information-sharing organizations, leveraging secure platforms to exchange vital information. Additionally, identifying security gaps, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, and implementing measures to deter, detect, and respond to illegal activities […]
Strengthening Maritime Security: Somalia Inaugurates New Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
On 05 December 2024, the Federal Government of Somalia inaugurated the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at the Somali Police Force’s Department of Coast Guard headquarters in Mogadishu Port, Somalia. This vital development marks a significant step forward in ensuring maritime safety and strengthening Somalia’s capacity to respond to emergencies at sea. The launch of […]
CRIMARIO at the EU & Latin America and the Caribbean bi-regional seminar on peace, security and defence challenges
On September 17, 2024, civilian and military experts from 35 European Union (EU), Latin American, and Caribbean (LAC) countries, along with key decision-makers, gathered in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Fourth Seminar on Security and Defense. The seminar, organized by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), and the Spanish […]
Refresh Training Began in Hargeisa for the Somaliland Coast Guard
Yesterday, the Somaliland Coast Guard in Hargeisa commenced a comprehensive refresh training program aimed at enhancing their maritime security capabilities. Led by CRIMARIO Representative Kenneth Neijnes and Senior Instructor Björn Beirens, the seven-day course will focus on equipping the Coast Guard with the skills needed to effectively use the IORIS platform. Both trainers are highly […]
Seizure of Weapon Shipment and Arrest of Weapon Smugglers with the help of IORIS
The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) has recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully intercepting a shipment of weapons and apprehending four weapon smugglers. This operation was made possible through credible intelligence received at the PMPF headquarters, demonstrating the power and effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing in tackling illicit activities. Over the past two months, the […]
Maritime Security: EU to become an observer of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment
The EU will soon become a ‘Friend’ (i.e., observer) of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, a regional cooperation framework to tackle piracy, armed robbery, human trafficking and other illegal maritime activities in the North-Western Indian Ocean, including the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. 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/
BALINN24: working together to enhance regional coordination and information sharing for safer and more secure seas
Between the 22 and the 25 of April, 22 agencies from 9 countries (Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius Mozambique, Reunion, Seychelles, Tanzania), including two Regional Centres (Regional Centres: RCOC Regional Coordination Operation Centre, RMIFC (Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre), and EUNAVFOR Atalanta participated in the Tabletop / command Post exercise “BALINN2024”. Co-organised by CRIMARIO and […]
Security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea: EU Council launches EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
The EU Council launched today EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. The objective of this defensive maritime security operation is to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf. 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 […]
Peer learning in Mozambique for safety and security at sea
Peer learning provides an opportunity for participants to share and discuss diverse perspectives, for a more well-rounded understanding of a topic. Moreover, the process facilitates collaboration and teamwork and helps build valuable skills, much needed when one operates out at sea. CRIMARIO values peer learning and each year instructors and country representatives offer Train-the-Trainer workshops […]
Enhancing connectivity and interoperability around the Horn of Africa through IORIS
Pirate Action Groups (PAG) operating in and around the Horn of Africa and the Somali Basin are once again back in the spotlight following recent incidents such as the hijacking of the MV RUEN, the unlawful boarding of the MV Lila Norfolk, and the confirmed hijacking/seizures of other vessels in the region. Though CRIMARIO offers […]
We always need to communicate, especially in time of crisis.
Maritime is constantly vulnerable to crisis, being it related to cybersecurity or piracy incidents, accidents (collisions or oil spills) or fatalities. No matter what the challenge is, handle the crisis with a trained and responsive team is essential to limit the damages. Moreover, how you communicate internally and externally can come to define how your organisation is […]
CRIMARIO supports Seychelles to coordinate Disaster Risk Management
In November 2023 the CRIMARIO team had planned a crisis management workshop between the 11th and the 15th of December in the Seychelles. However, due to unexpected circumstances the focus needed to change and the team had to swiftly adapt and carry out a workshop and develop tools on organisational chains. The initial objective of […]
Connecting and coordinating Maritime – IORIS training in Mogadishu
EUCAP and CRIMARIO II organised a two-week training for members of Somali Police Force Department of Coast Guard, Somali Navy and Coast Guard and the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy. In total, 23 officers successfully completed the training on the IORIS platform. It makes them able to exchange and analyse information and jointly coordinate […]
Re-enforcing regional governance through IORIS for safety and security at sea in the Indo-Pacific region.
Over 80 officials from 21 African countries, across Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America, together with European partners, participated in the first IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Group Meetings in the past few days (16-18 October) in Nairobi. The meetings aimed at discussing the future governance of IORIS with partners from a […]