IMO - International Maritime Organization

08/25/2026 | News release | Archived content

IMO supports national maritime security governance in Yemen

A multi-agency workshop aimed at strengthening Yemen's national maritime security governance, maritime domain awareness, and port facility security concluded in Aden on 20 August 2026.

The five-day event (16-20 August) was delivered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under the EU-funded Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area ('Red Sea Project').

Hosted by the Maritime Affairs Authority of Yemen, the workshop brought together 27 representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs Authority, Yemen Gulf of Aden Ports Corporation, Yemen Arabian Sea Ports Corporation, Coast Guard, Marine Police, Customs Authority and other relevant authorities.

Opening the workshop, Deputy Minister of Transport Captain Ali Mohammed Alsubhi, underscored the need for coordinated national action to safeguard shipping and port operations across the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Mr. Mustafa Abdulqader, National Liaison Officer for Yemen under the IMO Red Sea Project, highlighted the importance of national ownership and leadership for long-term success.

"Maritime security depends on national agencies working together with a shared picture and a shared plan. This workshop has laid the groundwork for a National Maritime Security Committee that can turn that coordination into practice," he said.

Core focus areas

Participants examined the legal, institutional, and operational frameworks needed to implement IMO maritime security standards, across four pillars:

  • National Maritime Security Governance

    Establishing a National Maritime Security Committee, in line with IMO guidance, intended as the central inter-agency focal point for developing a national maritime security risk register and a national maritime security strategy.

  • Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)

    Strengthening the national picture of activity at sea by improving operator training, inter-agency data sharing, and strategic policy coordination, while ensuring interoperability with regional Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA) mechanisms.

  • ISPS Code implementation

    Strengthening the application of SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

  • Emerging maritime threats

    Addressing modern risks, including threats from unmanned aerial systems, maritime cyber threats, illicit trafficking by sea, and anomalous vessel movements.

Outcomes and outlook

At the closing session, attended by the Minister of Transport H.E. Mohsen Ali Haidarah Al-Omari, delegates agreed on recommendations for the establishment and composition of the National Maritime Security Committee, drafted its terms of reference, outlined a national maritime security roadmap, and identified prioritized follow-up actions with defined timelines.

Following the workshop, the Ministry of Transport and Coast Guard reached an agreement in principle on the proposed Committee structure.

IMO will continue to support Yemen in taking these actions forward under the Red Sea project.

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