What are the biggest operational challenges your agency encounters in securing vessels going in and out of the region?

Our biggest operational challenges arise when operating in and out of Somaliland waters. The Coast Guard is responsible for more than 850 kilometres of coastline, and our crews operate both within territorial waters and sometimes beyond them. Because of this wide area of responsibility, we face limitations in operational capability and in the availability of Coast Guard assets.

Another major challenge occurs during vessel movements—going in and out of various areas. There are many different phases in these operations, but a key issue throughout is communication. Effective communication is essential for both operations and daily activities, yet we sometimes face difficulties in maintaining it. In some places—especially within the Eastern and Western commands—communication systems are limited or not functioning well. This affects our ability to communicate with certain facilities or vessels that may not have adequate communication equipment. As a result, we are sometimes unable to get a clear understanding of real-time situations.

During operations, we also receive information from fishing boats or other type of boats, but limited communication capability makes it difficult to respond promptly. This lack of robust communication systems is one of our main operational challenges.

Some specialized vessels also do not have standard communication systems, such as AIS features while in some cases, they may intentionally switch these systems off when entering our territorial waters or when approaching areas of concern. This makes it harder to identify them and to understand their intentions.

How have evolving piracy tactics or regional instability impacted your security strategies in recent years?

We have not had any reported piracy cases recently. However, we remain vigilant because of our proximity to areas where piracy originates, particularly Somalia. We believe that if piracy groups become more capable and stronger, they could impact our national and maritime security across the Indian Ocean and, at times, even beyond.

At present, our territorial waters, our contingency zone, and our EEZ are secure and stable. But in the future, if piracy grows stronger and more influential, it could threaten our maritime security. Therefore, we are considering several tactics and measures to prepare for such a scenario.

One important tactic involves engaging with territorial and coastal communities. Since piracy often originates at land within these communities, we need to strengthen our relationships with local people—including fishermen, customs personnel, and others. Community awareness and advocacy programs are essential for building trust and preventing piracy from taking root.

Another key area is improving Coast Guard capability. Enhancing human resource capacity, technological capability, and operational readiness are all important steps toward preventing and responding to piracy-related activities in Somaliland and the wider region.

We also place significant emphasis on international engagement. One of Somaliland’s strategies has been to participate more actively in international forums to gather information on regional threats—especially regarding potential piracy vessels. Cooperation with maritime security agencies in neighbouring countries, such as Djibouti, Yemen, and Somalia, as well as with partners like the EU, is crucial.

Through information-sharing platforms such as IORIS and collaborative efforts, we can exchange data, tactics, ideas, and knowledge. Working together enhances our ability to counter piracy, disrupt their operations, and even influence the way potential piracy groups think before they attempt to organize.

What logistical or coordination difficulties arise when working with multiple regional authorities and international naval forces, such as EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, Combined Maritime Forces, and local coast guards?

There are some logistical difficulties, especially now. Standardization is very important when working with counterparts, such as neighbouring navies or friendly countries. When equipment and systems follow different standards, operations become harder to coordinate.

For example, during communication exercises—such as those involving the EU Naval Force’s Operation Atalanta—the systems used by different partners may not be compatible. Communication systems, command systems, or even exit and entry procedures can differ, and this affects decision-making during operations.

Logistical capability is also a significant factor. For instance, when working with regional or friendly counterparts on joint operations, if we do not have similar logistical capacity or compatible systems, it becomes difficult to coordinate and achieve shared objectives. So this is one of the important points to take into consideration.

We coordinate with regional naval forces—such as foreign naval commands—primarily through communication and information-sharing during operations, special missions, and incident responses. We use our communication systems and platforms to stay connected.

Recently, coordination and communication among maritime agencies across the region, including local organizations and international counterparts, has become extremely important. Sometimes we also use other communication channels, such as video links, especially when working in the same operational area.

For example, if our Coast Guard boats are operating near units from other naval forces, we can communicate directly via radio. In addition, during certain situations, we also communicate with EU Naval Forces and other maritime partners as needed.

At present, the main communication platform we use is IORIS, which enables us to see what other partners are sharing and allows them to see our updates as well. Although we do not have direct communication channels with every partner, IORIS brings all of us onto one shared platform. If we need to contact a partner privately or separately, we can still do so through the system.

What environmental or geographic factors (e.g., vast patrol areas, weather, chokepoints) create the most significant obstacles to maintaining consistent maritime security in the region?

Geographical factors pose significant impediments and serve as real obstacles to maintaining consistent maritime security in the region. The area contains several strategic maritime choke points, and we are extremely close to potential threats and vulnerabilities related to major maritime projects.

Protecting such important maritime channels is a shared responsibility for all countries in the region—especially for regional maritime law-enforcement agencies and Coast Guards. As Coast Guard, we believe that one of our core tasks, and indeed our obligation, is to play an important role in maintaining regional stability, international peace, freedom of navigation, and the free flow of trade. These elements are essential for the economic well-being of the entire region.

For this reason, securing critical maritime choke points—particularly ports and other maritime infrastructure—is of the utmost importance. Although our capabilities and operational effectiveness may sometimes be limited, we fully recognize our responsibility. We are committed to fulfilling our role in safeguarding the region and ensuring maritime security without compromising journalistic freedom or transparency in maritime affairs.

During the recent 3^rd IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Group Meeting, priorities were identified to improve IORIS and strengthen its operational effectiveness. What are the priority improvements and follow-up actions needed to enhance usability and operational outcomes in your perspective?

We currently have only two operational centres, located in Hargeisa and Berbera. These centres use the IORIS platform. Along the wider coastline, we have three additional Coast Guard stations, but they still operate with their own systems and do not yet have fully suitable ICT and communication capabilities.

In my opinion, expanding across our entire coastline is essential. This will play a very important role in our future operations and in preventing potential threats or aggression. Because without capability, we cannot operate; and without information, we cannot take action at sea. Therefore, two areas are equally critical: improving operational capability through suitable assets such as boats and reliable communication systems and strengthening the information-sharing network. Without reliable information exchange, you simply cannot launch or coordinate operations.

For this reason, I strongly recommend expanding the IORIS platform across the Somaliland Coast Guard and also including other national maritime stakeholders. That would be the logical next step.

However, as mentioned, there are challenges. One major issue is that EU personnel cannot access some coastal locations because of security restrictions. This limits their ability to support us directly on site. As a result, officers must be brought to Hargeisa or Berbera for training, which can take one or even two days of travel. This logistical burden is significant. It becomes even more challenging when we consider officers from the more remote stations along the coast—some up to 350 kilometres away. Even when external experts arrive, they can only train a limited number of our personnel at a time.

Another obstacle is the limited availability of stable, fast internet and adequate hardware. Some stations do not even have proper equipment—computers, screens, or ICT tools—needed to run the system. So while expanding the IORIS platform is essential, we must also address these infrastructure gaps to ensure it can function effectively. These are important points to keep in mind as we plan the next phase of expansion.

We also have to remember that we need to follow the IT developments, hence what is really important is continuous receiving training to be updated.

How do you see the IORIS developments in the region?

Since we joined the IORIS community, the development of the Somaliland Coast Guard has improved day by day. At first, the platform was difficult for us to understand and operate. However, our operations centres in Hargeisa and Berbera have now become fully familiar with it. Our officers can use the system effectively and can even support senior officers during decision-making processes.

For example, before commanders such as the Admiral make any decision, they must first have proper and accurate information. Today, our IORIS operations team knows how to use the system well—how to share information, how to receive information from partner agencies across the region, and how to coordinate with relevant authorities.

A good example is our recent search-and-rescue operation, where we successfully saved a fisherman and recovered a missing fishing vessel. For the first time, through IORIS, Djibouti Coast Guard shared information immediately. Our operations officer in Hargeisa received the alert and informed us instantly. We then prepared and deployed our search-and-rescue teams. The operation was completed successfully thanks to very active coordination between Djibouti Coast Guard, the EU NAVFOR, and our own operations centres in Hargeisa and Berbera. This was a strong demonstration of how effective IORIS can be when used properly.

While our teams are motivated and ready to play their roles, we still need to expand the platform across the entire coastline.

The biggest challenges we face in expanding IORIS are:

1. Logistics and accessibility:
   Many remote coastal stations are difficult to reach. It can take officers one or two days to travel to Hargeisa or Berbera for training.
2. Limited infrastructure:
   Several stations lack reliable internet, computers, screens, and other ICT equipment needed to operate the system.
3. Continuous training needs:
   Personnel changes frequently. Even officers who were trained earlier may move to other roles, and new staff require ongoing training.
   Because technology and the IORIS platform evolve continuously, training cannot be a one-time event. We need regular exercises and refresher courses to ensure the system is used effectively.

Despite these challenges, we are making continuous progress. Our capacity is improving, our teamwork is stronger, and the operational results—like the recent rescue—show that the investment in IORIS is truly valuable.

To know more about Somaliland Coast Guard: https://marines.govsomaliland.org

L’article Protecting the coastline: insights from the Somaliland Coast Guard est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The training brought together officers from various agencies to explore the practical use of IORIS in daily operations. Through live simulations and hands-on exercises, participants were shown how the platform improves maritime domain awareness, monitors vessel activity, and enhances interagency coordination. These capabilities are critical in combating illegal fishing, smuggling, and other maritime threats.

A Clear Picture of Collaboration

Captured during one of these sessions, a compelling image illustrates the platform in action: officers actively engaged with the IORIS interface, analysing data and sharing updates in real time. The photo reflects not just a technical demonstration but a vivid example of cross-agency cooperation powered by digital innovation.

We interviewed Thilini Nawagamuwa, Assistant Director DFAR, who took the picture during the event.

Can you describe the situation taking place when the photo was captured?

The photo was taken during a training session for fisheries officers, aimed at demonstrating the operational use of the IORIS platform. The session focused on enhancing maritime domain awareness, monitoring fishing vessel activity, and coordinating with other agencies.

How does this photo demonstrate the importance of information sharing at sea?

The photo highlights the crucial role of real-time information sharing at sea. By using platforms like IORIS, authorities can coordinate more effectively, reduce response times, and make informed decisions. This is essential for improving maritime domain awareness, preventing illegal activities, and ensuring navigational safety. The image captures the essence of interagency collaboration enabled by shared digital tools.

Why do you feel this image is a strong representation of IORIS in action?

This image powerfully illustrates IORIS in action by showing its practical application in a multi-agency training context. It reflects the platform’s role in fostering cooperation, facilitating dynamic information exchange, and integrating technology to meet shared maritime security objectives. The active participation of officers and use of real-time scenarios reinforce the platform’s value in operational environments.

About DFAR

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) is Sri Lanka’s national authority responsible for managing fisheries and overseeing maritime surveillance. DFAR plays a central role in ensuring sustainable fishing practices, enforcing maritime laws, and enhancing maritime security. In partnership with local and international actors, the department uses tools like IORIS to support efficient and secure information sharing.

L’article IORIS in pictures: capturing coordination in action est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

 What’s New in IORIS V4?

This latest version of IORIS introduces a wide range of improvements designed to meet the complex and evolving needs of maritime operations, coordination centres, and partner agencies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

1. Platform Robustness

V4 offers significantly enhanced performance and high availability, ensuring seamless support for mission-critical operations. Whether it’s routine coordination or crisis response, the new architecture delivers stability when it matters most.

2. Advanced Integration Framework

IORIS V4 comes equipped with a powerful, built-in framework for integrating with external systems. New integrations include:

• Coastal Applications
• OceanWise mapping overlays
• Satellite AIS, including historical tracking data
• Multilingual translation tools
• Skylight for maritime surveillance

These integrations empower users with a rich, real-time operating picture while simplifying cross-platform workflows.

3. API Connectivity

Through its newly available API infrastructure, IORIS can now connect with a broader range of third-party services and platforms, allowing agencies and partners to fully embed IORIS into their own digital ecosystems.

4. Scalability & Performance

Designed to scale, V4 ensures fast performance and low latency across even the most diverse and geographically dispersed user groups. It’s optimized for both regional coordination centres and field units alike.

5. Data Sovereignty & Security

Security remains a cornerstone of the platform. Users retain full control over their data, with flexible hosting options and secure archiving features to comply with institutional and national data policies.

Introducing: IORIS LITE

Alongside the full-featured platform, we are excited to introduce IORIS LITE — a streamlined version designed for users who need quick and intuitive access without extensive training. Ideal for:

• Policymakers
• Operations centre managers
• Mariners, both navy and merchant
• New users with limited or no IORIS training

IORIS LITE simplifies the user experience while preserving essential coordination tools, helping to broaden access and foster wider adoption.

It was inspiring to see such strong participation from our partners during the recent online presentations. Your feedback, insights, and engagement were instrumental in shaping this release.

The launch of IORIS V4 is a testament to what we can achieve together — through shared vision, technical innovation, and international cooperation.

L’article  IORIS Version 4 launched ! est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Over three days of intensive dialogue, live demonstrations, and collaborative planning, participants worked to strengthen themultinational governance of the IORIS platform and explore new policy directions to further interagency and international coordination.

Real-world impact of IORIS on display

Delegates from various organisations shared success stories that highlighted IORIS’ real-world effectiveness — from narcotics interdictions, life-saving SAR operations, and counter-piracy actions, to its role in combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. These examples reaffirmed IORIS as a cornerstone tool for building regional maritime resilience and operational unity.

The event also officially marked the launch of IORIS Version 4 — a major platform upgrade featuring a completely redesigned interface, cloud-based architecture, and enhanced user experience that make interagency communication and crisis coordination even more intuitive and efficient.

 Key voices from the Indo-Pacific and the European Union

In his opening remarks, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro highlighted the strategic importance of regional cooperation:

“This collaboration underscores the European Union’s enduring commitment to a peaceful, secure, and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific, built on a foundation of the rule of law and respect for the UN Charter. We are proud to support regional partners in building capabilities that ensure freedom of navigation and maritime resilience.”

Martin Cauchi Inglott, Director of the CRIMARIO II project, emphasized the increasing operational scope of IORIS, especially in high-risk maritime regions:

“A key area of discussion was enhancing connectivity between merchant shipping, naval forces, and coastal states. This was clearly demonstrated by the platform’s success in the Red Sea, where IORIS enabled coordinated communication for over 130 vessels during a critical period. For the first time, the maritime industry participated as observers — a vital step in bridging government and industry in a unified maritime security architecture.”

 ALALAYAN III: a showcase of coordination in action

On the final day, attendees witnessed ALALAYAN III, a major maritime interoperability exercise led by the Philippine National Maritime Centre and involving over 20 national agencies. Using IORIS as the central coordination tool, the exercise simulated a range of maritime threats, testing national agencies’ ability to collaborate across jurisdictions in real-time.

VAdm Roy A. Echeverria, Director of the National Maritime Centre, reflected on the significance of the exercise:

“Over the next days, we saw what happens when agencies come together — not just to comply with protocols, but to truly collaborate, listen, adapt, and work side by side. This year’s exercise reinforces a shared truth: no single agency or country can address maritime challenges alone. Our strength lies in our unity — in our commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, and in our partnerships, both local and international.”

Looking ahead

As the event concluded, participants celebrated not only the successful launch of IORIS Version 4 but also the growing trust, collaboration, and capability across the Indo-Pacific maritime community.

Ondrej Vosatka, Programme Manager at the Foreign Policy Instrument of the European Commission, summed up the broader significance:

“We celebrate not just the success of this event, but the lasting partnerships and trust we’ve built across the Indo-Pacific over the years. The tools, knowledge, and networks developed here will continue to support regional maritime security and safety well into the future.”

IORIS V4 is now operational — and with it, the region is better connected, better coordinated, and better prepared to meet the maritime challenges of today and tomorrow.

L’article Strengthening maritime unity: over 100 officials convened in Cebu for the 3rd IORIS Steering Committee Meeting 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.

The workshop aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the staff responsible for crisis management within ministerial departments and national agencies that contribute to State Action at Sea. Additionally, it seeks to develop a maritime crisis management strategy tailored to Malagasy means and particularities. By the end of the workshop, a maritime crisis management group will be established, which will be operationalized within the Inter-ministerial Center for the Coordination of Maritime Operations (CICOM) at the CFIM premises.

Various agencies and ministerial departments dedicated to State Action at Sea will participate in the workshop. These include the Ministry of Armed Forces (Ministère des Forces Armées, MFA), the Delegate Ministry in charge of the Gendarmerie (Ministère délégué en charge de la Gendarmerie, MDG), the Ministry of Public Security (Ministère de la Sécurité Publique, MSP), the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology (Ministère du Transport et de la Météorologie, MTTM), the Ministry of Fishery and Blue Economy (Ministère de la Pêche et de l’Economie Bleue, MPEB), the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable, MEDD), the Ministry of Public Health (Ministère de la Santé Publique, MSP), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances, MEF), the Ministry of Interior (Ministère de l’Intérieur, MI), the Ministry of External Affairs (Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, MAE), the National Navy (l’Etat-major de la Marine Nationale, EMMN), and the Civil Protection (Corps de Protection Civile, CPC).

L’article Enhancing Maritime Crisis Management: CRIMARIO Partners with Madagascar to Strengthen National Coordination est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Organized in Palawan, the exercise saw the participation of 22 agencies from the Philippines; it aimed to test and enhance the interoperability among national and local agencies and demonstrate their capability to coordinate and render support in identifying and fighting maritime threats.

During the two days, agencies’ personnel operated together in a simulated and real environment to address and solve a complex situation involving ships suspected of illegal drug trafficking, illegal transport of endangered species, IUU fishing, and Search and Rescue around Puerto Princesa.

To facilitate communication, coordination, and cooperation among operational centers and assets at sea, participating agencies used IORIS, the Indo-Pacific Information Sharing Platform, a neutral, secured, and reliable tool, designed to enable inter-agency communication and coordination between domestic and international stakeholders to address the evolving and complex challenges within the maritime domain.

The successful conclusion of the exercise highlighted lessons learned and techniques that will improve the already good level of joint response to real-world complex maritime emergencies. At the same time, IORIS proved to be a reliable communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national level, facilitating the gathering, analysis, and exchange of information to timely and efficiently support decision-making and actions at sea.

Participating in the event, Luc Veron, EU Ambassador to the Philippines stated: “The Philippines’ embrace of IORIS underscores the country’s deep understanding of the importance of the maritime domain. As the first Southeast Asian nation to adopt IORIS nationally, the Philippines, through the leadership of the NCWC, Coast Guard, Navy, and other authorities, demonstrates its commitment to collaboratively addressing the complex challenges of today’s maritime environment.

This exercise is a testament to the Philippines’ dedication to enhancing maritime safety and security at the national level. By leveraging IORIS, it fosters inter-agency cooperation between maritime and relevant agencies.”

The Guest of Honor, the first Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns, Secretary Andres C. Centino on his message emphasized: “With expanded functions, the National Maritime Center will now work with more support agencies, continue to coordinate and collaborate with partners, including our foreign allies, ensuring that we are fully capable of being aware of the maritime situation within our archipelago.”

In his closing message, CG VADM Roy A. Echeverria, Director of NM Center underlined: ““I commend each and every participant of this Interagency Exercise ALALAYAN 2024. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone for we had a resounding success of our Table-Top Exercise, Command Post Exercise, and Field Training Exercise. Your support and participation in this Interagency Exercise is a declaration of your commitment and unwavering efforts to promote a whole-of-government approach to enhancing maritime governance in the country. This activity has indeed demonstrated everyone’s expertise and collective contributions in achieving our objectives and furthering our shared goal of enhancing maritime security.”

Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director concluded: “The Philippines has been at the forefront of welcoming IORIS to the region and is now set to lead the way in taking ownership of IORIS, using it internally, and bridge to external partners whenever necessary. My hearty congratulations go to these most professional maritime agencies participating in the exercises in the past days and to the NMC for organizing and playing an essential role in conducting it”.

L’article Philippine agencies exercise together to consolidate coordination in ensuring safer and more secure seas 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.

Co-organised by CRIMARIO and the Indian Ocean Commission, the exercise was designed to be a dynamic and engaging simulation, to test and improve the regional maritime operational capabilities of the Indian Ocean region. Through detailed preparation, robust communication protocols, and strict adherence to legal frameworks, the exercise aimed to foster a cooperative environment that enhanced the response to maritime security threats.

During the exercise participants shared information on #IORIS, a communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national and regional level, which facilitates the gathering, analysis, and exchange of information to timely and efficiently support decision-making and actions at sea.

The exercise scenario focused on locating and identifying ships involved in the transportation of narcotics, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, Search and Rescue and how to respond to these challenges (i.e., interdiction, interception, handover, legal finish, etc.) and coordinate operations at sea, in the framework of the IOC regional agreements.

The TTX helped participants to practice the law of the sea, including article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Moreover, they trained about interagency coordinated responses at national and regional level, refining tactics, techniques, and procedures in a controlled, simulated environment.

In the words of Martin Cauchi Inglott: “Essential in our line of business is the ability to communicate and coordinate effectively, so that we can conduct effective and efficient missions and operations, and this is precisely what the exercise targeted. A total of 11 scenarios were played in this exercise, over 2.5 days addressing the three main themes: people, drugs and IUU. I would like to congratulate all the agencies participating in the exercises for playing an essential role in it”.

In his closing remarks Raj Mohabeer, Indian Ocean Commission, underlined: “These exercises are extremely important to enhance cooperation among national and regional centres. I would like to thank all participating countries, the RMIFC, the RCOC, and EU CRIMARIO project for the good cooperation and for the success of this exercise which will contribute to strengthen maritime security in the region”.

L’article BALINN24: working together to enhance regional coordination and information sharing for safer and more secure seas est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Over the three days, participants considered how to move towards a common management of the system, to facilitate coherent and efficient use of IORIS amongst all users, whilst ensuring for the long-term vision of the platform’s adoption and employment.

Central to the discussion the enhancement of the of IORIS’ role in enabling Command, Control and Communication (C3), data storage policy, and the accountability of users, with the ultimate goal of strengthening cooperation for more safe and secure seas.

The meeting, co-chaired by CRIMARIO and the Sri Lanka Navy, is another important milestone for the Indo-Pacific governance of the IORIS platform, which endorsed, amongst others, legal documents consolidating the governance structure and establishing rules for the information exchange and for the general use of IORIS to best serve the needs of all users in the Indo-Pacific.

Moreover, the implementation of the Regional IORIS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Indo-Pacific will continue to contribute to the enhancement of information exchange within the region in a harmonised manner, using standard reporting methodology and terminology, hence facilitating the coordinating process among members.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Lars Bredal, Chargé d’Affaires at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives, affirmed: “The European Union and Indo-Pacific countries have a stake in each other’s prosperity and security. Our regions share the same interest in upholding the rules-based international order – with the UN Charter at its core. In the area of maritime safety and security the EU funded CRIMARIO enables Indo-Pacific partners to better govern their maritime spaces with the use of the IORIS neutral and secure information-exchange platform. “

In his opening speech the Sri Lanka Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, highlighted a shift in maritime security strategies, emphasizing the growing importance of sharing information among maritime nations over traditional individual or country-specific measures: “This collective approach to information sharing is crucial for combating maritime crimes and ensuring safe seas, and maritime nations should join a maritime information network and relax individual information sharing protocols to achieve this goal. Furthermore, he emphasised the commendable contribution of IORIS instructors in expanding the perspectives of Sri Lanka Navy personnel and emphasized how the IORIS platform has been instrumental in effectively resolving and addressing maritime issues on a regular basis.

Furthermore, Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director, added: “We have learnt that to progress, we need to be innovative, plan ahead, and most important of all, ensure that all IORIS users feel that they are part of the decision-making process, and hence this Steering Committee. This pathway will continue leading towards greater achievements, in terms of both expansion of the Community and efficiency of the platform, and perhaps we should be now looking at more out-of-the box solutions to continue propelling us forwards.”

The conference follows the first IORIS Steering Committee (ISC) meeting held in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2023, which lead to the  implementation of the regional governance and the creation of its supporting working groups (Policy, Legal, Operational, and Technical) and the subsequent IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Group meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2023, during which specific actions were discussed to operationalise the governance of IORIS.

L’article 2nd IORIS Steering Committee meeting, Colombo, 5-7 March 2024 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.

Between the 5 and the 9 of February, 2024 CRIMARIO II instructors, including CRIMARIO’s Regional Representative Admiral (Ret’d) Piyal De Silva, former Commander of the Navy, organised a regional SOP workshop in Sri Lanka, which was attended by officers from the Sri Lanka Navy, the Coast Guard, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, as well as officers from the Bangladesh Navy, the Maldivian National Defence Force and the Maldivian Transport and Civil Aviation Department.

L’article Navies, authorities and agencies and from Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka attend Regional IORIS Standard Operation Procedure workshop est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

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 in different countries of the Indo-Pacific.

At the beginning of February, an IORIS workshop was carried out in Mozambique, at INAMAR, the Maritime Authority responsible for Fisheries, Pollution and Search and Rescue in the country.

The particularity of this workshop being that it was performed by local trainers, all Mozambique Navy officials, who were previously trained on IORIS by CRIMARIO instructors.

The Navy officials explained the information sharing tool to their peers, bringing on board their knowledge and practical experience.

The successful completion of the workshop also affirmed the importance of inter-organisational learning and teamwork in handling complex challenges in maritime security.

As Candido Roberto Manhique, General Director of INAMAR, underlined: “I am pleased to say that INAMAR (National Institute of the Sea) feels very happy to have this opportunity to operate the IORIS platform in the country, as it offers great advantages to INAMAR, as it is responsible for maritime safety, prevention and the fight against maritime pollution and maritime inspection. IORIS comes at the right time for us, as INAMAR is being restructured and needs support both nationally and internationally. When IORIS is fully operational in INAMAR, it will be an even greater benefit for the country as a whole, because we are going to share information inside and outside Mozambique. Regarding Mozambique, we are talking about the agencies we are working with: the Navy, the Maritime Police and other entities that have interests at sea. IORIS is a great opportunity because we are going to share information that will help us to solve problems that may eventually occur, related to maritime pollution, as well as maritime safety, in the field of Search and Rescue and other aspects that we consider important to control, and to which IORIS provides real-time support.”

The workshop demonstrates the primary benefit of building a robust network of maritime security professionals capable of matching local and regional challenges based on shared experiences and cooperation.

This IORIS training, organised by the Mozambique Navy for INAMAR, boosts maritime security awareness, leverages teamwork, and enhances local expertise, in an effort to jointly tackle maritime challenges.

The creation of a strong network of security professionals starts with bringing people together.

L’article Peer learning in Mozambique for safety and security at sea est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

ALMERAJ1

On 22 November 2023, a pirate action group (PAG) hijacked the fishing dhow ALMERAJ1 when sailing off the Somali coast of Somalia, some 90 nautical miles northeast of Eyl. The information was relayed to the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) through IORIS after being received by the Somali Maritime Authority through Somali Police Force Department of Coast Guard in Mogadishu. PMPF thereafter sought the assistance of EUNAVFOR Atalanta, again through IORIS, where further intervention was requested upon agreement by the Federal Government of Somalia,[1] through its Bossaso based Maritime Operations Center (MOC). EUNAVFOR Atalanta, monitored the movements using aerial assets (drones), reporting movements back to PMPF again through IORIS, until the dhow proceeded back out of Somali waters after a period of surveillance. The suspicious vessel movements are still under investigation and could be related to MV RUEN.

During the entire ALMERAJ1 operation, IORIS was the primary communication tool used throughout, allowing the Mogadishu-based maritime agencies including the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, and the Somali Police Force Department of Coast Guard (SPF-DCG) to be kept abreast in real-time of ongoing actions.

IORIS Regional Uptake

Serious CRIMARIO engagements in the region commenced in January 2023 when IORIS training was provided to five regional authorities in Djibouti, these including the Djibouti Coast Guard, Somalia Maritime Authority, Somaliland Coast Guard, the Puntland Maritime Police Force and the Yemen Maritime Affairs Authority. In March 2023, a first historic tabletop exercise (TTX) was organised in Djibouti, where students from the afore-mentioned agencies coordinated joint maritime interdiction for the first time, albeit in a simulated manner. European Union Naval Force Operation ATALANTA, operating in the Gulf of Aden, also participated in the IORIS based exercises.

In following months, CRIMARIO organised more activities including an IORIS-based Search and Rescue (SAR) planning course in Kenya, focused on enhancing interagency and interregional information sharing.

IORIS Somali Maritime Agency Uptake

At the beginning of November 2023, CRIMARIO provided focused IORIS training to the Somaliland Coast Guard, training seventeen officials on how to use IORIS to communicate with other entities, exchange documents, use dedicated mapping features and AIS data, and other basic principles of the platform, to support the decision-making process.

And at the end of November 2023, CRIMARIO trained the Somali Police Force Department of the Coast Guard, the Somali Navy and Coast Guard and the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy on the IORIS platform, in coordination with EU Capacity Building Mission to Somalia (EUCAP SOMALIA).

At the course closing ceremony, Andrew Lyttle, IORIS Instructor concluded: “To partake in this training, the participants were required to develop many vital competencies which EUCAP and other Somali and international agencies have supported. The success of having staff members and officers directly benefit from this type of technology, which requires pre-entry knowledge of maritime matters, speaks well on collective development. I see this course also beneficial for the European Union, since enhancing safety and security in the busy waters of Somalia region provides direct mutual gain for all”. 

In response to a request from the PMPF, CRIMARIO trained the Maritime Operations Centre based in Bossaso Puntland between the 28^th January and the 1^st February 2024, and, in the not-too-distant future, CRIMARIO intends facilitating an interagency Standard Operating Procedure workshop through which all Somali maritime safety and security authorities and agencies will define harmonised procedures for exchanging information.

CRIMARIO further supports EUNAVFOR in its Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) activities specifically using IORIS as the communication tool via TTX to exercise maritime safety and security scenarios. Such an exercise (supported by EUCAP) was most recently undertaken on the 6^th February 2024, between EUNAVFOR ES Victoria and the PMPF MOC which used the case of the AMERAJ1 as a exercise example.

Since the ever-growing IORIS network is beginning to push CRIMARIO resources to their limit, CRIMARIO is now providing Train-the-Trainer courses so that nationals can begin to teach themselves without direct CRIMARIO support, and such a course in the country is planned in the spring.

Virtual Community Areas

Through IORIS, all six maritime enforcement and safety agencies mentioned above are now interconnected through IORIS 24/7. This is through the creation of a nationally administered virtual national Community Area called SOMSEA, allowing for the coordination of maritime operations up to the outer perimeter of their Exclusive Economic Zone. Beyond this, authorities can connect with neighbouring countries through the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden (ROHA) Community Area.

In the words of Colonel Mohamed Jama, Head of Puntland Maritime Operation Centre: “Since CRIMARIO initiated its engagement with PMPF to provide capacity-building training related to IORIS, there has been a significant improvement in PMPF’s knowledge and understanding of the maritime domain. This training has enhanced our capabilities and facilitated information sharing and exchange with other maritime stakeholders in the region. Thanks to the implementation of the IORIS system, PMPF is now able to track the movements of hijacked boats and report local maritime incidents to other maritime security stakeholders and neighbouring countries. Furthermore, PMPF has established effective connections, communication, and collaboration with Somali Maritime authorities, the Somali Maritime Administration, and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA operations in the regional sea.”

According to Mr. Yonis Adan, Senior Maritime Advisor to the Federal Government of Somali GS Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport recognises the importance of IORIS: “The platform helps on different levels; it allows individuals, organisations, and coastal communities within the federal government of Somalia to share their knowledge and expertise with others. It enables the transfer of valuable insights, experiences, and best practices, fostering continuous learning and improvement. At the same time, IORIS facilitates collaboration and networking among users who have similar interests or goals. It brings together diverse perspectives, encourages discussions, and promotes the exchange of ideas, paving the way for innovation, problem-solving, and new opportunities.

Moreover, through the platform, you get access to up-to-date information: in the virtual IORIS National Community SOMSEA, where there is the need to rapidly exchange information, IORIS ensures that all users have access to the most current and relevant data. It enables users to stay updated on the latest incidents in the region and beyond. One last point I’d like to make is related to empowerment and inclusivity: I believe IORIS provides an opportunity for everyone to share and access information freely. IORIS instructors empower individuals, coastal communities, and maritime administration staff, regardless of their background or location, to participate actively in discussions, contribute with their perspective, to gain valuable insight”. 

Concluding Remarks

Working with officials from the various authorities and agencies has indeed been a rewarding experience for CRIMARIO given that many operators are some of the most active IORIS users in the Indo-Pacific region. This besides the fact that the Horn of Africa and its approaches is probably the region which requires IORIS the most at this moment in time.

[1] The Federal Government of Somalia via the Somali Maritime Administration has a key role in ensuring these permissions considered issues related to the Territorial Waters (TTW) to agree the assistance of EUNAVFOR.

L’article Enhancing connectivity and interoperability around the Horn of Africa through IORIS est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Coming out of a crisis well requires serious planning, rehearsals, and support from the very top of the organisation.

These were all the topics discussed during the five-day workshop provided by the project in Djibouti between the 14 and 18 of January, in an international context marked since December 2023 by serious disruptions to maritime traffic on the traffic axis of the Bab Al Mandeb Strait, at the confluence of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The seminar, organised in cooperation with by the Regional Maritime Training Center of Djibouti (CRFM/DRTC), brought together national and international experts to discuss best practices in maritime crisis management.

Throughout the seminar, participants had the opportunity to attend presentations and interactive workshops led by international specialists. Topics covered included maritime crisis prevention, emergency management at sea, international coordination and the role of the maritime authorities.

National institutions also shared their own experiences in this area, highlighting measures taken to strengthen maritime security and safety in the country. Case studies were presented, reflecting the specific challenges Djibouti faces due to its strategic geographic position.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Director General of CRFM/DRTC Ms. Mina Houssein, who underlined the importance of strengthening national capacities in maritime crisis management. Ms. Houssein also highlighted the crucial role of Djibouti as a maritime shipping hub in the Horn of Africa region.

Closing the workshop Fabrice Tollari, responsible for the international crisis management training said: “During this week, we were able to identify and train a team ready to respond to any type of crisis that might occur at sea. The team now masters the fundamental principles of crisis management, the specific tools needed to successfully manage an exceptional situation, and the processes involved in making decisions under uncertainty. We carried out a large-scale tabletop crisis exercise, which enabled participants to confirm the need for an organised structure and trained teams to respond to a crisis.
The investment of the participants and the level of preparation of the Republic of Djibouti deserve to be underlined. We need to continue working in this direction, to keep coordinated management at tactical, strategic and political levels.”

L’article We always need to communicate, especially in time of crisis. est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.