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.

Building interoperability amongst civilian administrations and military organisations

The project’s activities are strategically designed to support both civilian administrations and military organisations, including regional and national Maritime Operations Centres, with a key focus in strengthening partner countries’ capacity to share maritime information within and across national borders.

This is primarily achieved through tailor made training programmes that build critical skills in maritime domain awareness, interagency coordination, and collaborative responses to thematic threats. By equipping operators with IORIS, the project enhances early-warning capabilities and proactive risk management.

Maintaining readiness through exercises and interagency collaboration

To ensure skills are retained, CRIMARIO continues to implement a robust maritime exercise programme. These exercises engage national and regional organisations in realistic operational scenarios to test procedures, identify capability gaps, and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs). This fosters familiarity and trust among cross-border stakeholders—an essential element for effective joint maritime operations.

Targeted thematic workshops for cross-sector engagement

Complementing its training and exercise efforts, the project intends organising country-specific thematic workshopsthrough an interagency approach, involving both policymakers and practitioners, addressing:

• Counter-narcotics
• Maritime law enforcement and Legal Finish
• Maritime safety (Search and Rescue – SAR- , and MARPOL compliance)
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
• Shipping industry practices and standards
• Port Safety and Security
• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
• Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure

Supporting regional stability through information sharing

At the heart of CRIMARIO’s activities lies IORIS, a neutral and secure digital tool that enables national agencies and regional partners to communicate, coordinate, and respond to maritime incidents in real time.

IORIS’ unique Maritime Cooperation, Coordination, and Communication (MARCO3) capabilities continue to be enhanced, to provide advanced collaborative services, expanding its functionalities to better support a wide range of maritime operations.

During the forthcoming 30-month phase, mission-focused variants of the platform will be developed, allowing tailored functions on IORIS according to their specific operational requirements—such as ports, shipping, fisheries, counter-piracy, and SAR. Each specialised version will feature targeted tools, overlays, and forms designed to increase usability, reduce complexity, and enhance its appeal to both government agencies and the private sector.

“CRIMARIO offers a model of trusted, inclusive cooperation in an increasingly complex maritime environment,” said Martin Cauchi Inglott, Project Director. “IORIS is more than a platform — it is a shared space where countries build trust, respond together, and keep their seas safe.”

Results that speak for themselves

Over the last five years, CRIMARIO has established itself as a key actor in maritime capacity building:

• 237 IORIS courses delivered
• Over 3,000 officials trained
• Over 140 national and regional exercises conducted
• Over 150 agencies form some 57 countries engaged
• 6 HADR workshops delivered
• Over 180 online operational “community areas” created on IORIS to support live collaboration

From an operational perspective, collaboration through IORIS has already yielded significant results even though much remains unreported given the confidential nature of the business. Of those success stories reported since 2024, IORIS appears to have played a pivotal role in at least eight search and rescue operations, contributing to the saving of over 80 lives; efforts to combat IUU fishing and enabled more than ten trafficking-related operations—targeting drugs, cigarettes, and other illicit goods—with an estimated total value exceeding €250 million euro.

Moreover, in the past year, IORIS has been instrumental in supporting EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and ALINDIEN, the French Naval Indian Ocean Command, communicate with over 200 merchant vessels operating in the Red Sea. All this reflects the project’s strong commitment to operational effectiveness, inclusive cooperation, and long-term maritime resilience.

Promoting synergy through collective action

Maritime threats—whether trafficking, piracy, and/or terrorism; and distress situations linked or otherwise to environmental degradation—are inherently transnational and require a unified response.

By working in synergy with other EU-funded initiatives, international organisations, and relevant missions, CRIMARIO intends to continue actively building a cohesive and collaborative framework that maximises impact, reducing duplication, and supporting a comprehensive maritime security architecture.

As CRIMARIO expands its reach beyond the Indo-Pacific, it aims to cultivate partnerships that are not only technical but human—built on trust, cooperation, and a shared responsibility for securing the world’s seas.

L’article EU CRIMARIO launches new phase to strengthen security and safety across the maritime domain est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

In this context, the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC) in Madagascar and the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) have partnered to conduct the joint exercise RECOPORT-ESA 25, with IORIS serving as the main communication platform for all participants.

Starting on January 27, 2025, and lasting for a week, under the patronage of the Madagascar Minister of Transport and Meteorology, port security officers from the Eastern and Southern Africa – Indian Ocean region took part in a virtual simulation exercise at the RMFIC.[1]

The exercise simulated a range of maritime incidents, including stowaway situations requiring a coordinated response, contraband trafficking such as drug smuggling that called for regional enforcement cooperation, theft of goods or vessels within port areas, and illegal trafficking of wildlife and natural resources.

The primary goal of the exercise was to strengthen information-sharing practices among PMAESA member states, enhancing regional maritime security and economic cooperation. This is vital to improving maritime safety, facilitating trade, ensuring emergency preparedness, and ensuring regulatory compliance with international standards. Additionally, the exercise aimed to foster a proactive security culture and promote greater collaboration among member states to address maritime challenges.

Throughout the exercise, IORIS served as a secure web-based platform, enabling the seamless exchange of information across various agencies, both domestically and internationally. This marked the second deployment of IORIS in a port security-focused exercise—following its successful use in South America. This successful implementation further reinforces IORIS’s value as a critical tool for ports in the region.

In fact, by aggregating and analysing maritime data from multiple sources, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, satellite imagery, and user-generated reports, IORIS provides port authorities with enhanced situational awareness which allows port authorities to better assess and mitigate potential risks.

Moreover, at the regional level, IORIS also functions as a vital tool for connecting port authorities globally, as it facilitates the exchange of critical information about vessels arriving in their areas of responsibility and enables them to notify authorities at the “Next Port of Call” of any suspicious activities, thus enhancing regional cooperation and response capabilities.

The success of RECOPORT-ESA 25 underscores the vital role of ongoing collaboration and information sharing in maritime security. By strengthening regional partnerships and leveraging IORIS, port authorities can collectively enhance their ability to protect ports, prevent illicit activities, and ensure the safe and efficient flow of trade across the region.

To know more about the advantages IORIS offers for harbour and port operations: https://ioris.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/241029-IORIS_Brochure_HARBOUR_A4_V3.pdf

[1] The exercise saw the participation of RMIFC, PMAESA and member countries from the Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania, the lndian Ocean Commission (IOC), Port Security Project, the International Maritime Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the Regional Coordination and Operations Centre  (RCOC), the Agence Portuaire Maritime et Fluvial (APMF), the  Centre de Fusion d’Informations Maritime, the Madagascar Customs and Navy, the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and INTERPOL, Djibouti, Mozambique Somalia and South Africa who participated as observers.

L’article Enhancing Port Security Through Information Sharing: The RECOPORT-ESA 25 Exercise est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

L’article Strengthening Maritime Security: Somalia Inaugurates New Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Over the course of two days, participants engaged in plenary sessions and working groups, addressing key issues such as the future governance of the IORIS platform, regional cooperation in information sharing, and strategies for engaging external stakeholders.

Co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy, the meeting brought together maritime security experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region. The event emphasised strengthening the governance of the IORIS platform and consolidating its use for addressing maritime security challenges. Notable developments included:

– Launch of IORIS Version 4, along with a new “lite” version designed for merchant ships. This initiative aims to foster enhanced cooperation between state and industry stakeholders, promoting a unified approach to maritime safety and information sharing.

– Formalisation of Regional SOP Regional Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

– Collaborative Solutions for Platform Challenges

Working groups delved into a range of technical, legal, and operational challenges associated with platform usage. Special focus was placed on developing solutions for sensitive information sharing and addressing jurisdictional issues related to transnational maritime incidents.

This event built upon the momentum set by previous IORIS gatherings, including: the Inaugural Steering Committee Meeting in Bali (May 2023) – the Policy Board and Working Group Meeting** in Kenya (October 2023), the IORIS Steering Committee Meeting in Colombo (March 2024).

Each of these meetings contributed significantly to shaping IORIS into a robust, secure, and collaborative platform, used by countries across the Indo-Pacific to tackle maritime safety challenges and facilitate sustainable governance of regional waters. The CRIMARIO II Project Director, **Martin Cauchi Inglott, highlighted the rapid growth of the platform and reaffirmed CRIMARIO’s commitment to developing new features that add value. “IORIS has continued to evolve, and our collaborative approach with regional partners has ensured that the platform remains at the forefront of maritime safety and cooperation initiatives,” he said.

Special thanks were extended to Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe, and Admiral (Retd.) P.H. Piyal De Silva, CRIMARIO Special Advisor to South Asia, for their leadership and invaluable support in co-chairing the event.

Looking Ahead.  As the IORIS platform continues to expand, the next IORIS Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for 21-23 May 2025 in the Philippines. This upcoming event will focus on further strengthening the platform’s capabilities and promoting international cooperation for safer, more secure maritime governance.

L’article Advancing Maritime Security and Cooperation Across the Indo-Pacific: 2nd IORIS Policy Board and Working Groups Meeting est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

In response, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) swiftly deployed floating barriers and initiated oil spill clean-up efforts to prevent the spill from reaching Manila’s coastline.

To coordinate with various PCG units and other agencies, the PCG utilised, among other means, IORIS, the communication, cooperation, and collaboration platform developed by CRIMARIO, which is now used by over 100 navies, authorities, and agencies across more than 50 countries in the Indo-Pacific.

By September 12, the emergency was declared over, following the PCG’s final inspection at the site of the sunken vessel in Limay, Bataan. The activity was led by Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM) Commander, Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria. Harbor Star, the contracted salvage company, reported that they recovered 1,415,954 litres of oil along with 17,725 kilograms of solid oily waste, achieving a recovery rate of 97.43%.

Since signing the IORIS Partnership Agreement (IPA) in Sep 2023, the PCG has progressively transitioned to a more integrated approach in coordinating joint operations, using IORIS between its districts and stations and across multiple agencies. This  collaborative approach has been key in tackling maritime challenges.

The use of real-time, encrypted communication through IORIS has enhanced the PCG’s response time and operational efficiency, particularly in managing MARPOL situations  like this one, significantly improving their ability to jointly protect both the environment and the fishing resources.

L’article Rapid Response at Sea: How the Philippine Coast Guard Tackled the MT Terra Nova Crisis with the contribution of IORIS est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Both trainers are highly motivated to help the Somaliland Coast Guard strengthen its role in regional maritime security through this intensive program.

The day began with opening remarks from Kenneth Neijnes, who underscored the growing challenges in the Gulf of Aden, which has become more problematic in recent years. He stressed the urgent need for countries and maritime organizations in the region to collaborate more closely.

“Only by sharing information on maritime security can we reverse this negative trend,” Neijnes remarked. He also highlighted the help the CRIMARIO  project can bring to the region and how the IORIS platform, which is currently utilized by over 100 maritime organizations in more than 50 countries can be useful in the area. The platform, he noted, is vital not only for security but also for Search and Rescue operations, saving lives at sea.

Lt. Colonel Khadar Isse, Head of International Relations, emphasized the importance of mutual support in building competence. He pointed out that stronger participants must assist those with less experience to ensure no one is left behind. Lt. Colonel Isse stressed that it is essential for the Somaliland Coast Guard to gain a thorough understanding of the IORIS system in order to manage maritime operations effectively and coordinate with organizations beyond Somaliland’s borders.

Colonel Abdirahman Nour, Head of Operations, elaborated on how the IORIS system could greatly enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to access critical information from other maritime organizations and engage in professional, secure collaboration.

Poul Severinsen, Head of EUCAP Field Office Somaliland, spoke about the significant advancements the Somaliland Coast Guard is currently experiencing. These include the construction of a new command centre and communication tower in Berbera, supported by EUCAP. He also touched on ongoing efforts to boost Maritime Domain Awareness, enhance cooperation, and improve information-sharing practices. The collective message from all the speakers was clear: Together we are stronger.

This collaborative effort aims to build a safer and more secure maritime environment for everyone in the Gulf of Aden.

L’article Refresh Training Began in Hargeisa for the Somaliland Coast Guard 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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are some points that emerged from the discussions between participants during the conference.

A collaborative approach

There is a general and quite positive tendency to seek external collaboration and cooperation at the regional or extra-regional level. Few States have the capacity to develop their own MDA with their national means, so the trend is to coordinate with regional partners and organisations as the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) or the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to contribute to a more inclusive and therefore more effective regional security. Building a regional architecture that aims to enhance MDA should benefit all users: countries and maritime actors in and outside the region with a legitimate interest in transparency and stability at sea.

This search for collaborative mechanisms and the recognition of the role of regional organisations or intergovernmental cooperation forums such as RECAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery) or the Jeddah/Djibouti Code of Conduct have also meant that the many initiatives proposed by the European Union to strengthen regional maritime resilience have been well received. This is particularly true of the EU’s CRIMARIO program and its development of the IORIS maritime information exchange platform, which was launched in 2015 to combat piracy in the Western Indian Ocean. Its regional success has paved the way for the establishment of CRIMARIO II in 2020, adopting a broader concept of maritime security and extending its scope to the whole Indo-Pacific. Similarly, in 2013, the EU financed the MASE program implemented by the IOC in the Western Indian Ocean. The EU is also supporting the operationalisation of the Yaoundé architecture in the Gulf of Guinea area since 2016 with the GOGIN initiative.

The importance of the Blue Economy

Another point is that coastal and Island States in the Indo-Pacific are paying greater attention to managing their areas of maritime jurisdiction and activities within them, meaning taking care of ‘Ocean Governance’. This is due to a better awareness of the economic importance of these areas in link with the emergence of the concept of ‘Blue Economy’ and the need to contribute to the security and the safety of the oceans to benefit from their resources. With the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean as part of a major Sea Line of Communication (SLOC) for trade and commerce and are rich in natural resources, including fish, which need to be developed sustainably, the Blue Economy holds great promise for the all-region.

Apart from the Blue Economy, the growing interest for greater MDA in the Indo-Pacific and beyond reflects the evolving security challenges that the region is facing. One would observe that these new challenges are mainly linked to non-traditional security threats, such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing, climate change, marine pollution, and smuggling of all kinds. This is particularly noticeable in the South Pacific.

Rise of maritime Law enforcement forces

A recent trend that one can also observe in the all-region is the development of coastguards and law enforcement forces. The Kenyan Government has recently established its first-ever coastguard to supplement its Navy by patrolling Kenya’s territorial waters and safeguarding marine interests in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

However, many countries do not have coastguards or navies capable of patrolling their territorial seas and vast EEZs effectively or the enforcement and judicial machinery necessary to apply their laws. While this situation exists, there is a substantial risk of increased IUU fishing and maritime criminal activities, as well as growing instability at sea.

However, with increased regulation of activities at sea and more international maritime conventions, maritime law enforcement has become more complex, requiring specialist expertise.

Interconnecting maritime centers

There is also a relative consensus on the fact that cooperation between neighbouring countries is fundamental to the provision of maritime security governance at the regional level. Building this cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is going to be difficult due to the diversity of the region and the lack of a clear common interest – other than protecting and securing the oceans and maritime spaces. Sharing data may be a complex and painful process at the national level, but it is even more challenging when you want to share information with other countries. For a State, achieving an effective MDA requires the sharing of information with other countries because of the interconnected nature of maritime security and the fluidity of the maritime domain.

There are several existing MDA information-sharing arrangements in the Indo-Pacific, including multilateral information-sharing or fusion centres, from the East African coasts to Peru. The achievements of these projects remain limited, and the region is far from having an independent and efficient MDA structure. Through its SHARE.IT initiative, the EU is encouraging a greater regional MDA for all partners. Its strength is to be a software accessible to all that supports regional maritime security architecture that should be interlinked.

Marianne Peron-Doise

L’article Sharing data for the benefit of safe and secure seas: a complex, painful, necessary process? est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

In the simulated scenario, which involved an Omani-flagged vessel attacked and hijacked by pirates. At the same time, on its way from Aqaba to Muscat, the operators navigated through multiple maritime challenges, such as Search and Rescue (SAR) and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), with precision. Using IORIS features, particularly the simulation and satellite AIS layers, proved instrumental in addressing such complex situations.

This week, from an IORIS refresher to engaging discussions and a thorough debrief, emphasised the project’s commitment to effective information sharing across the Indo-Pacific region. The collective efforts demonstrated by dedicated users underscore the invaluable role of IORIS in facilitating real-time collaboration and response.

L’article Successful IORIS Regional Exercise in the Gulf of Aden/Horn of Africa region est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

L’article CRIMARIO in Cape Town to participate to the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) High Level meeting est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.