An IMO-led maritime security table top exercise is taking place in Mauritius (26-27 July) for participants from around 20 government agencies. The exercise is highlighting the need for an integrated national approach to implementation of maritime security measures, with particular reference to IMO's Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code. The exercise involves a range of security and related scenarios involving policy decisions, crisis/emergency management and response. Participants are jointly identifying areas of improvement, including future areas of assistance from IMO and other development partners.

This is the sixth in a series of IMO maritime security exercise held in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region since late 2015, with IMO having completed similar exercises in Djibouti, Maldives, Mozambique, Kenya and the Seychelles. It was launched by the Hon. Premduth Koonjoo, Mauritius’ Minister for Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Islands. IMO is represented by Henrik Madsen and a team of consultants.