The Maldives and the United Kingdom (UK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code to enhance cooperation and further strengthen ties.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula and Under Secretary of State for Aviation and Maritime Security Baroness at the Department of Transport in the UK Charlotte Vere.
Under the agreement, the Maldives and the UK will cooperate in strengthening maritime safety standards for international ports, as well as adopt a common framework for the formulation and establishment of regulations. In addition, programmes will be implemented to support the development of technical expertise regarding the maritime transport industry and cooperation and assistance in all maritime safety-related areas to enable both countries to benefit from the ISPS Code.
Areas of cooperation and assistance between the Maldives and the UK include visits to ports of both countries to ensure compliance with the ISPS Code, as well as holding meetings, seminars and workshops on maritime safety and security, and assistance in capacity building. The agreement also includes the exchange of cooperation on consultancy activities related to the port security domain. In addition, the UK will provide assistance to the Maldives in matters related to maritime strategies, regulations, protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).