The Indo Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) platform is an EU-funded web-based tool. It is used in 23 countries’ maritime centres to enhance security along critical maritime routes.  The platform enables interagency real-time coordination of maritime operations by providing access to satellite automatic identification system and other services. With IORIS, Somali authorities are able to coordinate efforts and actions directly with colleagues throughout the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden and the wider North-West Indian Ocean, including EUNAVFOR OP ATALANTA.  

“Since March 2023 the extended IORIS training has been provided to the staff of the Somali Maritime Administration (SMA), Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) and Somaliland Coast Guard”, said IORIS Instructor Mr Andrew Lyttle.   

In November 2023, IORIS training for the Mogadishu based agencies brought together officers and staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, the Somali Navy and Coast Guard and the Somali Police Force Department of Coast Guard. In total 23 officers successfully completed the two-week training.

One of the graduates, Second Lieutenant Abdullahi from the Somali Navy and Coast Guard works as a Training Officer. He was very happy with the outcome of the training.

“Until this training, IORIS was a new system to me. I like it, it is good for information sharing also with other agencies and locations. During the course, we already had a real-life training by searching for a lost boat hundreds of kilometres away. EUNAVFOR shared information with us and the Puntland Maritime Police Force”, said lieutenant Abdullahi.

Another training was organised in Bossaso. Within the last year, IORIS has been already in operational use in the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) Maritime Police Unit (MPU) Maritime Operations Centre (MOC). Consequently, the aim of the course was to familiarise new officers with the system, as well as deepen the skills of the graduates of the previous training and meet and work with colleagues from different agencies.

PMPF Senior Officers were represented on the spot by Colonel Jama, who visited the training. The Colonel was pleased with the outcome and expressed his gratitude for the work of the trainers.

“Thank you very much for the tireless efforts of CRIMARIO and EUCAP in support towards the enhancement of PMPF MPU MOC personnel and technical capabilities”, he commended.

Soon after completing the training, EUCAP Somalia, EUNAVFOR, CRIMARIO II and Puntland PMPF-MPU Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) concerted an IORIS exercise in Bossaso. The exercise challenged PMPF-MPU-MOC officers’ ability to conduct joint operations and thus finalised the training.

During the exercise, interception and inspection of suspected illegal fishing vessel was simulated on the IORIS training platform. A variety of platform’s functions, such as time distance tracking, surveillance assets and reporting were practised. It became clear once more that interagency cooperation is a vital part of increasing the security of the Somali waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone.