SHIP IN A BOX: on-shore training facility donated by EUCAP enhances operational skills of Somali maritime police

03.09.2019

A lack of domestic training facilities hindered the continuous capacity building of the Somali Maritime Police. During the past years, training of the Maritime Police Unit (MPU) depended either on donor-funded international trainers or on invitations to international exercises such as Cutlass Express.

A low-cost, low-maintenance training facility, which would give the SPF-MPU the ability to practise their operational skills under the tactical direction of their own trainers, was needed.

 

Strengthen autonomous Somali maritime capacities

On the basis of joint assessments and planning with its Somali partners, the EU Capacity Building Mission EUCAP Somalia decided to donate a modern on-shore training facility to the Somali maritime police.

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The facility, also dubbed as “Ship In A Box”, is made of standard shipping containers assembled to look like a bridge of a merchant vessel. It allows the SPF-MPU and other Somali law enforcement agencies to train on boarding procedures in order to conduct inspections aboard merchant ships.

 

The training facility was recently inaugurated and handed over by EUCAP Somalia to the Somali beneficiaries.

The facility is located in the Mogadishu seaport, next to the future SPF-MPU Headquarters, which is developed with the support of international partners – EUCAP Somalia is a driving force among them.

The threat of piracy is reduced, but continued efforts are needed

The Horn of Africa faces several challenges in maritime security. Coastal countries such as Somalia work to counter illegal fishing, trafficking of weapons, narcotics or people. The threat of piracy has decreased significantly due to the joint efforts of local and international partners, but still lingers.

Launched in 2012 (originally under the name of EUCAP Nestor), EUCAP Somalia is part of international efforts to stabilise the Horn of Africa. This civilian CSDP Mission contributes to the establishment and capacity building of maritime civilian law enforcement capability in Somalia, including Somaliland. EUCAP Somalia is based in Mogadishu with field offices in Hargeisa (Somaliland), Garowe (Puntland), Mogadishu and a back-office in Nairobi, Kenya.

You might also be interested in: https://www.eucap-som.eu/eucap-somalia-mentors-somali-maritime-police-officers-attending-cutlass-express-2019/

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