News story

National strategy for maritime security

The UK's national strategy for maritime security has been launched today (13 May 2014).

• From: Ministry of Defence, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Home Office, and Department for Transport
• Published: 13 May 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

River class patrol vessel HMS Mersey (library image)

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.

National strategy for maritime security

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.

Published 13 May 2014