Deep Blue Project – Launch Ceremony

Today, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) inaugurates the long-awaited Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure – more commonly known as the Deep Blue project. The project is designed to generate an integrated surveillance and response capability that will bring together coastal surveillance, airborne surveillance, command and control centres, and response vessels. The project will impart a significant uplift to Nigeria’s ability to combat a range of maritime criminal activities including piracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, trafficking of people, smuggling of drugs and other contraband, oil theft, illicit waste dumping, and illegal and unregulated fishing.

This is a positive step for Maritime Security in the region. Mounting pressure from the shipping industry and international maritime organisations have highlighted the parlous state of security in the Gulf of Guinea, as discussed in our most recent #AreteDeepdive. You can read it here

It is anticipated that the Deep Blue Project will be a major elevation in capability and allow Nigeria to mount coordinated interdiction and response operations in support of international shipping and the offshore industry.

However, the Deep Blue Project should not be expected to be a quick fix solution; the security forces will need to adapt their doctrine and make the new operating procedures work effectively and efficiently and this will take time. For the greatest effect, NIMASA may look to integrate the Deep Blue Project into a wider maritime security structure which would ultimately project its advantage beyond its own territorial waters. This however would only be efficient once the capability is fully established and operationally functional from both a physical and doctrinal perspective. #shipping #security #safety #offshore