IMO Leads Table Top Security Exercise in Tanzania
International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s whole of government approach to maritime security, as an enabler for sustainable development of the blue economy, is being played out in the latest maritime security table-top exercise.
The exercise in Tanga, United Republic of Tanzania (9-10 November) is highlighting the need for a unified approach to implementation of maritime security measures, with particular reference to IMO’s SOLAS chapter XI-2 and ISPS Code.
During the exercise, participants from a range of Government agencies, including the port sector, are confronted with various threats and challenges to maritime security, involving policy decisions, crisis/emergency management and response.
The evolving scenarios are designed to stimulate discussions and to demonstrate the need for co-operation amongst government departments and agencies in order to determine respective roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures, and how these may develop, both with respect to routine business, and during an incident.
This is the seventh IMO maritime security exercise of this kind to be held in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region since late 2015. It was launched by Director of Safety and Security, Capt. Mussa H. Mandia, of the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA). IMO is represented by Henrik Madsen and a team of consultants.
Agencies involved include the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces Navy, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport, the Police, the Prime Minister’s Office, Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services, the Attorney General’s Chambers, Tanzania Ports Authority, Tanzania Revenue Authority, the Deep Sea fishing Authority of Tanzania and the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA).
The port sector is further represented by the Zanzibar Port Cooperation and Tanzania International Container Terminal Services.
