AMSSA Knowledge Hub
Connecting expertise, sharing knowledge, strengthening Africa’s maritime future.
Africa’s maritime future depends on people as much as technology: the professionals who inspect vessels, manage ports, protect ecosystems, coordinate rescue operations and develop maritime policy.
The AMSSA Knowledge Hub is being developed to connect this expertise across institutions and regions. Its purpose is to make practical knowledge easier to access, encourage cooperation and help partners turn shared experience into stronger maritime practice. This reflects AMSSA’s strategic commitment to technical assistance, capacity building and the exchange of proven approaches across Africa.
We connect maritime expertise, research and practical guidance across Africa. Our Knowledge Hub is being developed to support professional learning, cooperation and the exchange of proven practices.
Why it matters
AMSSA’s strategy identifies fragmented institutions, uneven capacity and limited information sharing as obstacles to effective maritime governance. It proposes a collaborative approach that connects expertise, reduces duplication and helps successful practices reach more institutions.
The Knowledge Hub will support this approach by bringing together resources, learning opportunities and professional exchange across maritime safety, security, environmental protection and the blue economy. Its development draws on the programme’s proposed publications, technical studies, training activities and stakeholder portal.
Our areas of work
Maritime knowledge and practical guidance
AMSSA’s programme includes model regulations, implementation guidance and technical publications to help participating authorities strengthen maritime governance. The Knowledge Hub will provide a public-facing route to approved resources as they become available.
Its intended focus is practical: helping readers understand the subject, identify relevant guidance and connect it with their institutional responsibilities.
Research and evidence
Technical studies and assessments are central to AMSSA’s programme. Planned work includes studies of maritime safety gaps, assessments of maritime administrations and reports identifying recurring challenges and opportunities for improvement.
The Hub will help communicate approved findings and lessons, connecting research with the needs of policymakers, practitioners and programme partners.
Training and professional development
AMSSA’s capacity-building programme proposes tailored training for maritime safety inspectors, illegal fishing enforcement officers and search and rescue coordinators. It also includes workshops on maritime safety standards and capacity building in marine spatial planning and coastal management.
The Hub will provide a place to share information about these opportunities when programmes, participation arrangements and delivery partners are confirmed.
Scholarships and fellowships
The 2026 programme proposes a scholarship and fellowship scheme for African maritime professionals, with a minimum ambition of 10 opportunities. The intention is to support access to international study and professional training.
Details of eligibility, funding, participating institutions and application procedures will be published when arrangements are confirmed. This is a planned scheme, not an announcement that applications are currently open.
Professional exchange and regional cooperation
AMSSA’s strategy prioritises dialogue between African maritime experts and cooperation with regional maritime centres. Its programme includes regular coordination meetings and the development of partnership arrangements with international organisations.
The Hub will support the exchange of experience between institutions, helping partners identify shared needs and learn from approaches used elsewhere.
Blue economy knowledge
The programme proposes a Blue Economy Knowledge Platform containing good practice, case studies and investment opportunities. The Knowledge Hub can provide a route to this specialised content as it develops, linking sustainable livelihoods and economic development with environmental stewardship.
Learning from maritime information
AMSSA’s proposed Pan-African Maritime Information System, AMIS, is intended to support maritime awareness through vessel information, environmental monitoring and climate-related data. Its development is a distinct technical workstream within the strategy.
The public Knowledge Hub will focus on approved learning resources and published findings. It should not be presented as providing open access to operational surveillance information or confidential intelligence.
Knowledge across our five engines
The Hub will connect learning across the website’s five engines:
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Maritime Safety: Standards, implementation guidance, inspections and accident-investigation learning.
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Maritime Security: Legal frameworks, enforcement guidance and lessons from regional cooperation.
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Marine Environmental Protection: Pollution preparedness, environmental monitoring and climate adaptation.
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Blue Economy: Sustainable resource management, marine spatial planning and development case studies.
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Knowledge Hub: The shared route to publications, professional development and exchange.
These themes bring together work areas already identified across AMSSA’s strategy and annual programme
Resources and publications
As approved materials become available, the Hub will connect visitors with:
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AMSSA circulars and technical guidance.
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The planned State of Maritime Safety in Africa report.
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The planned African Maritime Crime Threat Assessment Report.
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Published findings from inspections and institutional assessments.
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Climate adaptation guidance for coastal ports and communities.
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Blue economy case studies and good-practice resources.
Each publication should clearly identify its subject, publication date, version and source, helping readers distinguish AMSSA guidance from external reference material.
Our 2026 priorities
Relevant commitments in AMSSA’s programme include:
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Launch the website and stakeholder portal for information sharing.
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Begin development of the State of Maritime Safety in Africa report.
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Produce maritime crime guidance and an annual threat assessment.
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Design two to three tailored capacity-building programmes.
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Establish a scholarship and fellowship scheme with a minimum ambition of 10 opportunities.
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Establish the Blue Economy Knowledge Platform.
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Develop cooperation arrangements with regional and international partners.
These are planned activities. Public information about delivery, participation and available resources will need to reflect confirmed progress.
Working together
AMSSA’s strategy identifies universities, research institutions, maritime administrations, industry, regional organisations and civil society as important stakeholders. Their expertise and experience are essential to the programme’s collaborative approach.
We welcome enquiries from organisations interested in contributing research, developing learning resources, supporting professional training or exploring knowledge-sharing partnerships.
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Explore publications and resources
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Discuss a knowledge partnership