UK Government adopts National Maritime Security Strategy

The National Maritime Safety Strategy (NSMS) sets out the UK's approach to maritime safety for the next five years.

It is a joint paper from the Department for Transport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Home Office and Ministry of Defence.

At the heart of the paper are 5 strategic goals:

•     Protection of the home country
•     Responding to threats
•     Securing prosperity
•     Championing values
•     Supporting a safe and resilient ocean

The NSMS sets out how the UK organises and uses its extensive national capabilities across government to identify, assess and address current maritime security challenges. It also sets out commitments to address these challenges now and in the future.

• Ensuring the security of our borders, ports and maritime infrastructure in collaboration with the devolved administrations, overseas territories and Crown Dependencies
• Creating a secure environment that limits the opportunities for terrorists and organised criminal groups
• Monitoring of bottlenecks and strategic sea routes to ensure the free movement of goods and trade
• Upholding and promoting compliance with the rights and obligations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation
• Advocating for sustainable management of the oceans, developing concepts for maritime safety and enforcing environmental regulations

This is the second version of the NSMS. It replaces the original strategy published in 2014 and addresses new and emerging risks that the maritime sector will face in the coming years. The NSMS is an important document that sets out the aspects of maritime security that the UK considers essential to its continued way of life. The NSMS should be read in conjunction with the Integrated Review and Maritime 2050. These strategies set out the Government's overarching approach to national security and international policy.

See the strategy paper here