The European Union Strengthens the Capabilities of the Senegalese Navy with Two Fast Patrol Boats
On Wednesday, 14 January 2026, the Senegalese Navy officially received two fast patrol boats, their associated equipment, as well as materials dedicated to combating maritime crime and collecting evidence at sea. This donation, provided by the European Union, forms part of the Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) Project.
A Ceremony with Strong Strategic Significance
The handover ceremony was held under the chairmanship of the Chief of Staff of the Navy (CEMMARINE), in the presence of the Ambassador of Portugal to Senegal and several European diplomatic authorities. It symbolizes the European Union’s renewed commitment to strengthening the operational capacities of West African coastal states facing persistent maritime insecurity.
Strengthening the Response to Maritime Threats
The fast patrol boats and equipment received are intended to enhance the effectiveness of maritime surveillance and intervention operations. In particular, they will enable the Senegalese Navy to strengthen its response to major threats such as:
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maritime piracy,
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illicit trafficking (drugs, weapons, migrants),
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illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing,
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and, more broadly, transnational organized crime in the maritime domain.
The SWAIMS Project, a Pillar of Regional Maritime Security
Funded by the European Union, the SWAIMS project (Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security) lies at the heart of the regional maritime security architecture. Its main objective is to strengthen the operational response of naval forces and maritime administrations, while improving regional coordination and compliance with international legal frameworks. The project covers twelve West African countries: Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
