The UN's International Maritime Organisation and the Republic of Korea have launched the SMART-C Maritime Security and Counter-Piracy project to strengthen the capacity of Gulf of Guinea coastal States to address piracy, reports Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

The initiative responds to recent calls by the United Nations Security Council for enhanced international cooperation and support for regional nations and institutions working to counter piracy and uphold security in the area.

The project is part of the broader IMO-RoK Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation Programme established under a Framework Agreement signed on November 28, 2023. The Republic of Korea has allocated US$3 million to support the effort, designating Gulf of Guinea coastal States as beneficiaries.

The project seeks three main outcomes. The first is enhanced maritime security capabilities, including improved regional cooperation, institutional development and human resource strengthening to combat piracy, armed robbery and other maritime crimes.

The second outcome is sustainable regional training capacity, with an inception study planned to review existing training needs and facilities and to reinforce one or more institutions to deliver regional programmes.

The third outcome is increased regional coordination and knowledge sharing by aligning training, operational standards and legal frameworks with the Yaounde Code of Conduct, relevant IMO maritime security instruments and international maritime law.

The International Maritime Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for setting global standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its mandate includes adopting regulations, facilitating cooperation among Member States and supporting capacity-building initiatives to improve maritime governance.