Transparency data

Strenthening maritime security: objectives 2017 to 2018

Published 16 February 2018

1. Overview

The UK’s overall objectives, as set out in the UK’s National Strategy on Maritime Security, is focused on promoting a secure international maritime domain which will benefit all nations including protecting UK citizens and the UK economy. The FCO works to support these objectives by contributing to the safeguarding of international security and mitigating threats in the maritime arena. This helps us to protect our people through reducing security threats, as set out in our National Security Strategy as well as supporting the UK’s objectives under its Aid Strategy to strengthen global peace, security and governance and promote global prosperity which help address poverty reduction overseas.

2. FCO objectives on strengthening maritime security

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

• prevent maritime insecurity proliferating ahead of the withdrawal of international naval forces and maintain piracy in East Africa at pre-2007 levels or below
• improve maritime policing, judicial and penal capacity, and maritime domain awareness
• improve implementation of the 2013 Yaoundé Code of Conduct Concerning Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activity in West and Central Africa
• improve understanding of global trends on maritime security
• build a secure international maritime domain which upholds international maritime norms, including freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes based upon international law

3. Official Development Assistance and maritime security

A stable and secure maritime domain is essential to the smooth working of the global economy. Maritime security is dependent upon international cooperation aimed at setting and enforcing appropriate and globally-shared 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 are engaged in piracy, trafficking (people, arms, narcotics), robbery and illegal fishing which all impact on the stability and security of developing countries. As over 90% of global trade is carried by sea, the economic effects of maritime crime are significant.

4. Strengthening maritime security project objectives

To tackle this, this FCO programme supports key workstreams to:

• increase the capability of maritime law enforcement institutions and regional authorities to secure territorial waters resulting in fewer incidents of maritime crime in focus countries
• increase leadership on maritime security efforts, including counter-piracy, to improve institutional capacity and governance in focus countries
• increase the ability of partner countries’ national and regional law enforcement
• improve the ability to track maritime crime across borders, enhance awareness of maritime crime, and increase communication and cooperation between regional maritime security bodies
• improve the capacity in potential maritime flashpoint regions to reduce tensions and uphold international maritime norms

Successes in the past have included help 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.

5. Geographical coverage

The programme focuses on the main piracy hotspots of West Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea and South East Asia.