Maritime authorities in Central America are launching a regional strategy to enhance collaboration and coordination for maritime development among six nations. Members of the Operative Network of Regional Cooperation of Maritime Administrations in Central America (ROCRAM-CA) recently convened virtually with International Maritime Organization (IMO) experts to pinpoint shared priorities for cooperation.
This initiative, funded by the Malaysian government, aims to bolster maritime capacity and regional collaboration. The IMO is executing the project in partnership with the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) and the maritime administrations of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. The virtual meeting signaled the beginning of the consultation phase, during which participants discussed methodologies, work plans, and next steps.
National focal points will gather and share strategic documentation over the coming months, contributing to a regional assessment that identifies common priorities and areas for coordinated action. The resulting Regional Maritime Strategy will include an implementation roadmap outlining key actions, timelines, responsible parties, and monitoring arrangements, thereby creating a practical framework for regional maritime development.
This initiative is part of a phased approach established during the first meeting of Latin American maritime administration leaders, which took place in Guatemala in July 2026. The ROCRAM-CA Strategy represents the initial phase of this approach, translating regional commitments into actionable processes and fostering strategic alignment among Latin American maritime administrations. The strategy is anticipated to be finalized by December 2026, following consultations with the participating administrations.
