AMSSA Maritime Security: Protecting people, ports,Africa’s maritime space & marine resources.
Maritime security connects the waters offshore with the ships, ports, coastal communities and trade routes that depend on them. AMSSA’s programme aims to strengthen cooperation between African nations, improve information sharing and build the capacity to prevent, investigate and prosecute maritime crime. Its approach brings together technical assistance, stronger legal frameworks and coordinated regional action.
Why it matters
Piracy, armed robbery, illegal fishing, trafficking and oil theft threaten people, livelihoods and legitimate trade. AMSSA’s strategy identifies fragmented institutions, limited capacity and gaps in legal frameworks and information sharing as obstacles to an effective response. Our programme focuses on helping partners close these gaps and turn shared knowledge into coordinated action.
IMO’s approach reinforces this connection between security and development. Its work in Africa supports stronger national legislation, coordinated institutions and well-trained personnel, helping countries protect their maritime sectors while enabling sustainable trade and growth.
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Our areas of administrative support
Piracy and armed robbery
AMSSA’s programme supports stronger cooperation to prevent and respond to piracy and armed robbery against ships. Priorities include information sharing, operational training and technical support for coordinated action by national authorities and regional maritime centres.
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing undermines responsible resource management. Our programme aims to support detection, investigation and enforcement through better maritime information, coordinated training and cooperation between fisheries authorities and maritime enforcement agencies.
Trafficking and smuggling
AMSSA aims to help strengthen the capacity to detect and investigate trafficking in people, arms and drugs, alongside other illicit maritime activities. The programme combines technical assistance, information exchange and support for clearer legal frameworks and prosecution procedures.
Oil theft and illegal bunkering
Our strategy includes support for the prevention of oil theft and illegal bunkering. Planned work focuses on intelligence sharing, technical expertise and cooperation between the authorities responsible for maritime enforcement.
Ship and port security
Security must extend from the vessel to the port facility and the ship–port interface. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code provides a framework for assessing threats, assigning security responsibilities and developing effective security plans for ships and port facilities within its scope.
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AMSSA’s programme includes port facility security and inspection work. This provides a foundation for supporting awareness, training and cooperation around applicable security requirements, while leaving statutory responsibilities with the relevant authorities and operators
Maritime cybersecurity
Digital systems are part of the maritime security landscape. IMO’s guidelines encourage organisations to identify and manage cyber risks, protect systems and prepare for disruption and recovery. These measures complement established safety and security practices.
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Maritime cybersecurity is a work area in AMSSA’s programme. Our intended focus is knowledge sharing and capacity building that help maritime organisations understand risks and strengthen preparedness
Investigation and prosecution
Effective security depends on what happens after an incident is detected. AMSSA’s strategy prioritises harmonised legal frameworks, model laws and stronger prosecutorial capacity, helping competent authorities move from investigation to lawful prosecution and accountability.
International and regional frameworks
SOLAS and the ISPS Code
SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code form the core IMO framework for international ship and port facility security. Part A of the Code contains mandatory requirements, while Part B provides guidance on meeting them. AMSSA’s proposed technical support will encourage understanding and implementation of applicable requirements, without replacing national oversight.
The Yaoundé Code of Conduct
Adopted in June 2013, the Yaoundé Code of Conduct provides a cooperation framework for West and Central Africa addressing piracy, armed robbery and other illicit maritime activities, including illegal fishing. IMO supports its implementation through legislative assistance, institutional coordination and training. AMSSA’s programme seeks to complement existing regional arrangements rather than duplicate them.
The Djibouti Code of Conduct
The Djibouti Code of Conduct supports cooperation in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. Its 2017 Jeddah Amendment broadened the framework beyond piracy and armed robbery to include other illicit activities, such as trafficking and illegal fishing. It also promotes national maritime security policies and multi-agency coordination
These regional approaches provide important reference points for AMSSA’s ambition to connect expertise and strengthen cooperation across Africa’s maritime regions.
Our 2026 priorities
AMSSA’s 2026 work programme sets out the following priorities:
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Develop Maritime Crime Enforcement Guidelines aligned with international law and relevant good practice.
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Establish a maritime crime intelligence and information-sharing platform.
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Support harmonised legal frameworks and model laws for prosecuting maritime crimes.
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Conduct joint training with regional centres on piracy, armed robbery and illegal fishing interdiction.
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Produce an annual African Maritime Crime Threat Assessment Report.
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Support the development of joint task-force and patrol arrangements between participating states.
These are programme commitments, not a statement that each activity is already operational.
Our ambitions for 2031
These are targets set out in AMSSA’s strategy, not results achieved to date. Progress will depend on agreed baselines, consistent reporting, resources and cooperation with participating authorities.
Working together
AMSSA’s approach is to strengthen existing institutions, connect expertise and support shared priorities. The strategy identifies national authorities, navies, coast guards, fisheries agencies, regional maritime centres, industry and international organisations as essential stakeholders in this work.
We welcome enquiries from organisations interested in maritime security training, technical studies, legal capacity development or regional cooperation.