National Strategy For Maritime Security

The strategy highlights the importance of the maritime domain to UK prosperity and security. It sets out how the UK will deliver maritime security.

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  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 the Government’s commitment to preserving the flow of maritime trade and upholding international maritime law.