Somalia Joins Two International Maritime Security Networks

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has joined two international maritime cooperation networks aimed at improving the sharing of information on vessel movements and strengthening maritime security.

Somali Navy Commander Gen. Abdihab Abdullahi Omar signed agreements in Italy formally bringing Somalia into the Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (V-RMTC) and the Trans-Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN).

The agreements were signed during the 15th International Maritime Power Conference in Venice, hosted by the Italian Navy at the Italian Navy’s Arsenal headquarters.

The conference brought together naval commanders from several countries to discuss maritime security, surveillance of sea routes and undersea infrastructure, new naval technologies, information-sharing on shipping movements and cooperation among countries with maritime interests.

Addressing the conference, Gen. Omar said Somalia’s strategic position along important international maritime routes made cooperation with other maritime nations a priority.

He said Somalia was working to strengthen its ability to safeguard its territorial waters and deepen cooperation with countries involved in maritime security.

Membership in the two networks is expected to give Somalia greater access to maritime information-sharing and coordination with participating countries, although the Somali Navy did not provide details on the practical arrangements or timeline for implementation.

On the sidelines of the conference, Gen. Omar held separate meetings with Qatar’s naval commander, Maj. Gen. Abdullah Hassan Al-Sulaiti, and Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Ercüment Tatlıoğlu.

The meetings focused on strengthening maritime security cooperation between Somalia, Qatar and Türkiye.