The International Maritime Organization and the Republic of Korea are rolling out the SMART C Maritime Security and Counter Piracy project to help Gulf of Guinea coastal states improve how they tackle piracy and other maritime crimes. The focus is on building stronger national capacities so countries in the region can respond more effectively to security threats at sea.
The initiative follows recent calls from the United Nations Security Council for stronger international cooperation and more targeted support for regional partners working to address piracy and maintain peace and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The project sits within the existing IMO-RoK Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation Programme, created through a Framework Agreement signed on 28 November 2023. Korea has allocated USD 3 million to the project, which will directly support Gulf of Guinea coastal states.
The project aims to strengthen maritime security across the region by improving cooperation, building institutional capacity and developing skilled personnel to address piracy, armed robbery and other maritime crimes. It also focuses on creating long-term training capacity by first assessing existing needs and facilities and then reinforcing selected institutions so they can deliver regional programmes. The initiative further supports regional coordination and knowledge sharing by helping align training, operations and legal frameworks with the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, relevant IMO instruments and international maritime law.
This collaboration between the IMO and the Republic of Korea signals a strong commitment to reinforcing the security systems that underpin safe and reliable maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea.
source: maritimafrica.com
