IMO Projects benefitting DCoC Countries
Safe Seas for Africa (SSA) -
Western Indian Ocean
The Safe Seas for Africa (SSA) project is a three-year, €1 million EU-funded initiative that the International Maritime Organization will implement in collaboration with UNODC, INTERPOL, and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). Its Strategic Objective 4 is to strengthen intra-agency, inter-agency, and inter-regional coordination across the Western Indian Ocean through improved maritime governance, enhanced information sharing, and more effective capacity building.
Key deliverables include developing a DCoC Engagement Strategy, supporting Kenya’s finalization of its National Maritime Security Strategy (NMSS), operationalizing DCoC Working Groups, enhancing the CB Matrix, and facilitating participation in regional and international naval forums. The project also promotes domestication of regional SOPs, bilateral agreements with RMSCs, and implementation of a framework to assess maritime vulnerabilities—culminating in support for the 2025 High-Level Meeting.
The Safe Seas for Africa (SSA) project was signed on 19 December 2023. It officially began on 1 April 2025 and will end on 31 March 2028.
Countries participating in the Safe Seas for Africa (SSA) project:
Beneficiaries include Kenya, Mauritius, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Crisis Response Project for the Red Sea and
the Western Indian Ocean (CRP-RedWIO)
The Crisis Response Project for the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean is an 18-month, €4 million initiative led by IMO in partnership with Expertise France and UNODC, aimed at strengthening maritime information sharing and regional coordination.
The project will provide consultancy support for the development of a Regional Maritime Security Strategy (RMSS) and deliver capability assessments, SOP domestication, and targeted equipment support to 10 beneficiary countries. It includes two workshops to operationalize DCoC Working Group 3 and advance coordination at sea, while enhancing linkages with regional centres such as RMIFC and RCOC. Yemen will receive specialized assistance through support to its ReMISC and NMISC, including staff mentorship at RMIFC, national workshops, and one-year salary support. The project will also support the integration of Skylight into IORIS for non-SOLAS vessel tracking and conduct regional interoperability exercises. Additionally, the UNODC component will deliver direct capacity support to the coast guards of Djibouti and Yemen.
The Crisis Response Project for the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean (CRP-RedWIO) was formally signed on 16 June 2025 and is scheduled to conclude on 21 December 2026.
Countries participating in the Crisis Response (CRP-RedWIO) project:
Beneficiaries include Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Republic of South Africa (RSA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Somalia and Yemen.
Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (Port Security Project - PSP)
The South Atlantic and Indian Oceans serve as vital maritime trade routes that link the Americas, East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, contributing significantly to the economic growth and prosperity of the Global South. Despite their importance, the port facilities along these routes face vulnerabilities stemming from inadequate maritime enforcement institutions, incomplete adherence to international safety and security standards, and a deficiency in regional cooperation.
The Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (Port Security Project – PSP) sponsored by the European Union, under the overall strategic direction of the Indian Ocean Commission, the project is being implemented jointly with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The Implementation Phase of the Port Security Project formally began in January 2021 to June 2024 – with a no-cost extension granted until May 2026.
Countries participating in the PSP:
Angola, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles and the United Republic of Tanzania.
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2025 Activities
Red Sea Project
Supported by funding from the European Union, the collaborative project, steered by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), aims to enhance maritime security and law enforcement measures across the region. This initiative is set to leverage the expertise and resources of key international organizations, including the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to address a wide spectrum of maritime challenges. Through comprehensive coordination and strategic partnership, the project endeavors to bolster the capacity of coastal states, foster information sharing mechanisms, and implement effective strategies to combat transnational crimes at sea.
The implementation period of the Red Sea Project began on 21 February 2021 for a duration of 45 months, initially set to conclude on 20 November 2024. The project was extended for two more years and is now scheduled to conclude on 20 November 2026.
Countries participating in the RSP:
Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
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