Improving Red Sea Area Security through Collaboration Mechanisms

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is working with other stakeholders to enhance maritime security and safety in the Red Sea area, in line with the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy. As part of the “Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area” (Red Sea Project), IMO participated in a regional maritime law enforcement forum in Addis Ababa organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The Red Sea Project, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL, IMO, UNODC, and IGAD, aims to establish a national and regional port security network to share operational data on vessels, cargo, crew, and passengers.

The Red Sea is a critical maritime route for global trade, connecting Europe and Asia, and presents significant opportunities for development and increased prosperity in the region. Despite a reduction in piracy and armed robbery incidents since 2012, instability and conflict are increasing once again, along with transnational organized crime and other illicit maritime activities. These factors endanger the freedom of navigation and limit investment in port infrastructure and maritime commerce. Participating countries in the Red Sea Project include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, with funding from the European Union. IMO’s involvement in this collaborative effort aims to address these challenges and enhance security in the Red Sea area.

Source .