The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently sponsored a national training session in Mombasa, Kenya, to educate authorities on maritime security control and compliance with SOLAS regulation XI-2.

The session, attended by 15 representatives from major Kenyan maritime agencies, focused on best practices for promoting and maintaining an effective control and compliance system. Participating agencies included the Kenya Coast Guard Services (KCGS), Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), State Department of Shipping and Maritime (SDSM), Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

This training is part of an EU-funded project aimed at enhancing port security and navigation safety in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean. These regions are vital maritime trade routes for the Global South’s economic growth, necessitating strong regional collaboration, robust maritime enforcement agencies, and strict compliance regimes.

The IMO initiative aims to bolster marine security and safety across nine member nations, aligning with Africa’s Integrated Marine Strategy for 2050.

In related news, IMO members recently called for an immediate halt to assaults on ships and seafarers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.