Naval Response
The “Durban Resolution,” declaring the AU’s shared commitment to tackle the issues of maritime safety, security, transport, and environmental protection. Specifically, the AU condemned piracy and maritime pollution. The AU supports the initiative of the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and IMO on establishing an Integrated Coast Guard Network in the sub-region and promotes sub-regional cooperation and coordination in the provision of coast guard functions inclusive of maritime intelligence, surveillance, safety and security, protection of environment and search and rescue.
Industry Response
No activity planned or implemented.
Plight of Seafarers
No activity planned or implemented.
Messaging and Advocacy
No activity planned or implemented.
Regional Capacity
Member states to the African Maritime Transport Charter shall endeavor to invest in and finance established programmes for education and training in relevant maritime skills and upgrading maritime professionals in all areas of the maritime and ports industry. The Durban Resolution encourages the African regional economic communities to undertake or pursue supplementary projects in areas where there is need to build local maritime capacity and invites member states to provide the resources necessary to ensure the safety, security and protection of the marine environment.
Somali Capacity
No activity planned or implemented.
Rule of Law
Chapter VIII of the African Maritime Transport Charter contains provisions concerning maritime safety and security. Member States agree to revise and harmonize, if necessary, their maritime, port, and inland waterways legislations in order to make them compatible with international instruments and to share information about unlawful acts perpetrated at sea. With particular regard to piracy, armed robbery, and other unlawful acts against shipping, member states commit to adopt effective measures to combat such acts through cooperation with other international bodies. The Durban Resolution condemns all acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea and contains provisions for member states to enact national legislation and to ratify and implement international instruments relating to maritime security, such as the International Ship and Ports Security (ISPS) Code.
Coordination
Under the African Maritime Transport Charter, member states undertake to put in place a maritime communication network in order to make optimum use of mechanisms for control, follow-up and intervention at sea and ensure better organization of maritime traffic. In addition, member states should strive to create a strategic framework for the exchange of information and mutual assistance in order to enhance measures that can improve the safety, security and prevention systems and make it possible to combat unlawful acts perpetrated at sea, such as piracy and armed robbery. The Durban Resolution encourages the sharing of information pertinent to maritime security at sub-regional and regional levels.
