National security workshop to strengthen maritime governance in United Republic of Tanzania

Maritime stakeholders progressed efforts to enhance national maritime governance during a three-day National Tabletop Exercise and Workshop on the establishment of a National Maritime Security Committee (NMSC), held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania (28 – 30 July).

Thirty representatives from key government ministries, security forces and national maritime institutions gathered with the aim of enhancing coordination, strengthening governance and reinforcing national compliance with international maritime security standards.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mohamed Salum, Director-General of the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) and Chair of the NMSC, welcomed participants and emphasized the country’s strategic maritime position and commitment to strengthening national maritime security architecture.

He highlighted the need for inter-agency coordination and scenario-based preparedness, stating: “This workshop marks a critical step toward strengthening the capabilities of our National Maritime Security Committee in executing its mandate under national law.”

IMO worked with Tanzanian authorities to simulate maritime threat scenarios, assess institutional readiness and support the development of a national maritime security strategy.

Special attention was given to the operationalization of Tanzania’s National Joint Operations Centre (NJOC), envisioned as a future National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC).

The workshop was facilitated by IMO, in collaboration with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, under the EU-funded project on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (Port Security Project). The project has nine participating countries, which IMO assists to enhance maritime security and safety within the region, in line with the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy.

The workshop was attended by senior government officials representing the following agencies: Deep Sea Fishing Authority (DSFA), Immigration, Kikosi Maalum cha Kuzuia Magendo (Special Anti-Smuggling Task Force -KMKM), Marine Police HQ, Ministry of Transport (MOT), Ministry Of Infrastructure, Communication And Transport, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And East African Cooperation (MOFAEAC), Ministry of Defence and National Services (MoDNS), Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Blue Economy, National Prosecutions Services (NPS), Office of Attorney General (OAG), Office of the President, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF) – HQ , TPDF-Navy,  Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC), Tanzania Ports Authority(TPA), Tanzania Revenue Authority-HQ, Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA), Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC), Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services (TISS), Drug Control and Enforcement Authority DCEA.

Source : IMO