National strategy for maritime security
13 May 2014 03:38 PM
The
UK's national strategy for maritime security has been launched today (13
May 2014).
The
strategy outlines, for the first time, the UK’s approach to delivering
maritime security at home and internationally, setting out how the UK organises
and uses its extensive national capabilities to identify, assess and address
maritime security challenges.
The
strategy highlights the importance of the maritime domain to UK prosperity and
security. It sets out how, through effective collaboration across government,
with industry and our international partners, and through the integration of
our assets and personnel wherever possible, the UK will deliver maritime
security.
River Class patrol vessels of the Fishery Protection
Squadron (library image) [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Caroline
Davies, Crown copyright]
Maritime security is a cross-government activity which
brings together 16 government departments and agencies. At the forefront of
these are the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, the
Home Office and the Department for Transport.
The
strategy outlines 5 priorities:
- to
promote a secure international maritime area where international maritime laws
are upheld
- to
help other nations develop their own maritime security
- to
protect the UK and the Overseas
Territories, their citizens and economies by supporting the safety and
security of ports and offshore installations, and passenger and cargo
vessels
- to
assure the security of vital maritime trade and energy transportation
routes
- to
protect the resources and population of the UK and the Overseas Territories
from illegal and dangerous activity
The
strategy also introduces a robust government approach to maritime security
decision-making and confirms our commitment to preserving the flow of maritime
trade and upholding international maritime law.