Transparency data

Strengthening Maritime Security Programme Summary

Updated 26 August 2022

1. Overview

The UK’s overall objective, as set out in the UK’s National Strategy on Maritime Security, is focused on promoting a secure international maritime domain. All nations, including the UK, rely on safe and secure seas. Over 95% of global trade by weight is carried by sea, so the economic effects of maritime crime are significant. Promoting a secure international maritime domain will help to strengthen global peace, security and governance and promote global prosperity.  This will help address poverty reduction overseas and support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

2. Objectives on Strengthening Maritime Security

The UK works with other countries to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international system. We are committed to freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, and the peaceful resolution of disputes based upon international law. Specifically we work to:

• improve global understanding of threats to maritime security and how States can work together to combat them;
• in West Africa, currently the area most affected by piracy, improve implementation of the 2013 Yaoundé Code of Conduct Concerning Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activity
• maintain piracy in East Africa at pre-2011 levels (342 incidents) or below
• prevent maritime crime from worsening in South East Asia
• improve maritime policing, judicial and penal capacity, as well as maritime domain awareness, in all areas of heightened threat
• strengthen international maritime norms, including freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes based upon international law

3. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Strengthening Maritime Security

FCO’s strengthening maritime security programme is funded by a blend of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA funds. ODA scoring within the programme is limited to ODA-eligible activities in DAC-listed countries.

A stable and secure maritime domain is essential for the global economy. Maritime security depends on international cooperation to set and enforce appropriate shared norms and standards of action, consistent with international law.

Maritime crime poses a serious threat to the safety of seafarers, international trade and regional stability. Extensive criminal networks around the globe engage in piracy, trafficking of people, arms, and narcotics, robbery, kidnapping and illegal fishing, all of which can impact on the stability and security of developing countries.

4. Strengthening Maritime Security Project Objectives for FY 2021 to 2022

The main work streams in the FCO’s Strengthening Maritime Security programme aim to:

• improve leadership on maritime security in priority countries and regions, including in the fight against piracy and efforts to improve institutional capacity and governance
• increase the capacity and improve the capability of maritime law enforcement institutions in priority countries (and in regional bodies) so they can secure their territorial waters, resulting in fewer incidents of piracy and other types of maritime crime
• improve the ability to track maritime crime across borders, enhance partners’ awareness of maritime crime, and increase communication and cooperation between regional maritime security bodies
• improve capacity to reduce tensions and uphold international norms in potential maritime flashpoint regions

5. Strengthening Maritime Security Programme during FY 2021 to 2022

In the past, the programme has helped to establish Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions and Intelligence Coordination Centres and increased capability to disrupt maritime crime networks through specialist law enforcement training in Somalia/Somaliland.

In financial year 2020 to 2021, the strengthening maritime security programme included the following successes:

• promoting and influencing good maritime governance globally, through expert overseas engagement on Maritime Domain Awareness by the UK National Maritime Information Centre
• improved knowledge and capability for West and East African coastal countries to better secure their territorial waters, through strengthened maritime strategy formulation and Maritime Domain Awareness, delivered by the International Maritime Organization
• improved capacity and capability of maritime law enforcement institutions in priority countries (and in regional bodies) to secure their territorial waters, resulting in fewer incidents of maritime crime

6. Strengthening Maritime Security Programme Allocation for FY 2020 to 2021

The ODA budget for the strengthening maritime security programme is £0.037m.