Author: Susan. A
Published: September 5, 2025
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) has released a new PSC Report, underscoring the urgent need to institutionalize maritime security across Africa. The report proposes the creation of an African Maritime Security Expert Group to coordinate efforts, harmonize strategies, and share knowledge among member states.
Security Through Structure
The report argues that while Africa’s maritime domain holds immense economic promise, it remains vulnerable to piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and unregulated exploitation of marine resources. Ad hoc responses, the study warns, are insufficient. What is needed are structured, institutionalized frameworks—anchored by expert groups that pool experience and disseminate best practices across borders.
Such structures would ensure continuity in maritime policy, foster regional trust, and provide a reliable platform for addressing security crises. By creating an African expert group, ISS Africa envisions a knowledge-sharing hub that would strengthen capacity-building and standardize security protocols across ports and coastal states.
Observater’s Perspective: Structures Bring Stability
At Observater Surveys and Services Ltd., we recognize that maritime security is inseparable from maritime commerce. Without secure seas, ports cannot thrive, vessels cannot trade efficiently, and cargo owners cannot operate with confidence.
Our experience across more than 45 ports in Africa shows a consistent pattern: when proper structures are in place—be it compliance protocols for bunker operations, standardized draft survey procedures, or robust cargo inspection frameworks—losses fall, risks diminish, and trust grows.
Maritime security follows the same principle. Structures create certainty. Certainty drives growth.
From Reports to Reality
The ISS Africa proposal to establish an expert group is not just an academic suggestion; it is a practical step forward. Such a group could play a critical role in:
- Enhancing intelligence-sharing between navies, coast guards, and port authorities.
- Standardizing vessel inspection protocols to detect threats before they escalate.
- Training surveyors and inspectors to identify compliance gaps at ports.
- Promoting coordinated responses to piracy and smuggling across maritime zones.
For Africa to unlock the full potential of its blue economy, the move from fragmented responses to unified structures is not optional—it is essential.
Observater’s Call to Stakeholders
Observater urges stakeholders—governments, shipowners, insurers, and port operators—to embrace institutionalized approaches to maritime security. Just as our teams apply internationally recognized standards (ISO 9001 & ISO 17020) in cargo surveys and loss adjusting, security operations too must adopt codified structures that deliver accountability and predictability.
When the seas are secure, shipping thrives. When shipping thrives, Africa’s economic heartbeat strengthens.
Looking Forward
The ISS Africa PSC Report paints a clear vision: with the right structures, maritime security in Africa can indeed be “plain sailing.” But vision alone will not secure the seas—it takes action, coordination, and trusted expertise.
At Observater, we stand ready to support this transformation—through independent inspections, compliance audits, and risk-prevention strategies that align with the continent’s maritime security aspirations.
Observeter Africa Marine and Cargo Surveyors: ops@observater.com – Always Driven by Integrity and Commitment to Real Quality
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