Two national trainings focused on strengthening maritime and port facility security were completed in Aden, Yemen (7-11 September and 14-18 September), as part of the EU-funded Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area (Red Sea Project).
The trainings, led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), addressed the growing threats to maritime security in the Red Sea, including terrorism, piracy, and transnational crime. Workshop discussions highlighted the importance of preparedness, inter-agency coordination and security as a cornerstone for maritime development in Yemen and the wider region.
More than 20 representatives from the Yemeni Coast Guard, Aden Port Authority, the Ministry of Justice, the Navy, the Customs Authority, and the Environmental Protection Authority attended each workshop.
The first training focused on testing and refining standard operating procedures (SOPs) for incident management that were developed during a previous mission. A series of simulated scenarios were used to examine response mechanisms and to highlight areas where cooperation among agencies could be further strengthened.
The second training addressed advanced drills and exercises, aiming to strengthen technical capability of the Designated Authority, port security officials and managers. It emphasized conducting drills and exercises in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and related guidance, using the APEC Drills and Exercises Manual as a framework.
The trainings took place under the Red Sea Project, which is funded by the European Union, and delivered through coordinated actions by IMO, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in support of the participating countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
