Over the past two months, the PMPF’s efforts have consistently thwarted attempts to bring illegal weapons into Puntland communities. These weapons, often intended for use by various groups, are now under thorough investigation, which further strengthens maritime security and helps curb illegal activities in the region.

In the words of PMPF ” Our gratitude goes to EUCAP Somalia and CRIMARIO for providing the tools andsupport necessary for monitoring maritime movements through the IORIS platform. This system facilitates information exchange among relevant maritime agencies, both domestic and international, bolstering our ongoing operations. Additionally, the IORIS platform has been instrumental in tracking and intercepting boats and ships engaged in illegal activities in our region”.

CRIMARIO will keep working with PMPF, EUCAP Somalia and the international community to address piracy-related security threats, ensuring safe maritime traffic and trade, committed to protecting Puntland Somalia waters and preventing illegal operations, as we strive to ensure the safety and security of the sea, ports, and the community at large.

NB: Exact timing, locations and details of arrests, items seized are being withheld in order to ensure ongoing operational security of further investigations

L’article Seizure of Weapon Shipment and Arrest of Weapon Smugglers with the help of IORIS est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The exercise focused on addressing complex situation involving ships suspected of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing around Salinas and the Galapagos Islands.

The exercise involved some 700 sailors and observers from multiple participating countries, including vessels from the United States and Peru. It included maritime interdiction manoeuvres, management of rules of engagement (ROE), rules of use of force (RUF), Command and Control, using the ORION System developed by the Ecuadorian Naval Shipyards (ASTINAVE).

The exercise included maritime security, law enforcement and crisis management activities, training the Multinational Task Force to strengthen interoperability, communication protocols and capabilities between multinational forces.

To facilitate the coordination and exchange of information at sea, participating agencies used IORIS, the Indo-Pacific Information Sharing Platform.

The successful conclusion of the exercise demonstrated the willingness and commitment of participating agencies and governmental bodies to ensure for maritime safety and security and to improve the joint response to real-world emergencies in today’s complex world. At the same time, IORIS proved to be a reliable communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national level, facilitating exchange of information, to respond in a timely and effective manner to complex maritime incidents.

During their speeches, Division General-SP Luis Lara Jaramillo, Minister of National Defence and Rear Admiral Óscar Noboa Estrella, Commander of Naval Operations, underlined the importance of international cooperation to neutralise possible maritime threats: “It is important to mention that without information exchange and planning there cannot be a safe sea. For the Ecuadorian Navy, achieving this requires Naval Power since more than 80% of the commercial exchange in the world is carried out by sea.”

Martin Inglott Cauchi, CRIMARIO project director, stated that: “We appreciate the cooperation that is being strengthened between the Ecuadorian Navy and the EU-funded project CRIMARIO II. Through the exercise, we saw IORIS supporting live exercises with assets at sea also plugging into the system, for the secure exchange of information exchange and operational coordination; through our collective efforts, we can address maritime challenges together. Thanks go to the Ecuador Navy for trusting CRIMARIO and agreeing to join and fortify the IORIS Community.”

Charles-Michel Geurts, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Ecuador, participated in the event and said: “In today’s challenging maritime environment, good cooperation between the relevant government agencies is key. Ecuador and the EU work together to increase maritime security cooperation, and projects such as CRIMARIO are instrumental in this regard. exercises like this one are extremely useful in building the necessary coordination capacity, and IORIS has proven to be a valuable collaborative tool.”

L’article GALAPEX 2023: working togheter to address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing 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.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, recently visited the Republic of Seychelles to discuss ways to increase interoperability between CJTF-HOA and the Seychelles.

“A key, vital forecast is the fact piracy is suppressed, not eradicated,” said Kriesel, the first CJTF-HOA leader to officially visit the Seychelles since 2012. “We, as a coalition, must maintain readiness to rise to the challenge of a potential resurgence.”

Kriesel met with leaders from the Seychelles People’s Defence Force, and the U.S. Embassy Mauritius and Seychelles, to discuss the crucial role the Seychelles, a group of 115 islands, has played in the fight against illegal fishing, the ongoing threat of piracy in the western Indian Ocean, and trafficking of weapons, narcotics and people. During the meeting, Seychelles People’s Defence Force leaders elaborated on their plan to increase information sharing and force capability to police the Indian Ocean.

Kriesel also visited the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre, seeing firsthand how the center operates and its pivotal role in promoting maritime security in the region.

“CJTF-HOA and the Regional Coordination and Operational Centre would benefit from conducting training and exercises similar to our subject matter expert exchange; ultimately, furthering strategic access,” said Kriesel.

Read more in the original article published by CJTF-HOA

L’article Seychelles, CJTF-HOA build partnership est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.