The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is progressing with its Red Sea Project, aimed at enhancing maritime security and coordination in the Horn of Africa and off Yemen’s coast. A significant component of this initiative was a four-day workshop held from June 22 to 25, 2026, in Aden, organized for Yemen’s internationally-recognized government. This workshop, supported by the European Union’s Crisis Response Project, gathered representatives from various agencies responsible for maritime policing in the region.
The main goal of the workshop was to create a roadmap for establishing two key entities: a National Maritime Information Sharing Center at the Yemeni Coast Guard’s headquarters and a Regional Maritime Information Sharing Center located nearby at the Yemen Maritime Affairs Authority. The IMO emphasized the importance of adopting the regionally agreed Djibouti Code of Conduct and Jeddah Amendment Standard Operating Procedures as the foundation for Yemen’s national protocols. However, challenges remain, including the need to translate these SOPs into Arabic.
In parallel, a separate initiative backed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, and EU donors aims to bolster the Yemeni Coast Guard’s capabilities. This includes the introduction of two patrol craft, enhancing coordination between the Coast Guard and maritime patrols. Nonetheless, internal power struggles pose significant obstacles to progress, particularly a recent conflict involving the Minister of the Interior and the Coast Guard leadership.
Additionally, piracy in Yemeni waters is on the rise, prompting the IMO Secretary General to call for the release of 44 sailors held hostage since March. The deteriorating relations between Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia further complicate the situation, with stalled peace talks raising concerns about a potential resurgence in attacks on shipping in the region.
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