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Maritime security is a shared responsibility, too large for one country to undertake alone:

Opening of a National Maritime Security Center in Tanzania 

Dar es Salaam, 27 September 2024 – A significant milestone has been accomplished in Tanzania’s maritime security efforts with the inauguration of the National Joint Operation Center (NJOC) in Dar es Salaam. This facility, established in collaboration between the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) with the support of the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs will serve as a crucial hub for coordinating the country’s maritime law enforcement and enhancing regional security in the Western Indian Ocean. 

“We need to remember we are living in an era where maritime threats and challenges are increasingly, complex and interconnected, hence a need for a unified approach has never been more critical. Therefore, cooperation and information sharing are crucial in addressing maritime threats,” noted Tanzania Director of Transport of the Ministry of Transport Ms. Stella Katondo. She commented further, “The National Joint Operations Center embodies our dedication to breaking down silos, fostering seamless communication, and leveraging our combined strengths to address the multifaceted threats we face.”

Mr. Andrew Lentz, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, contributed that Illicit activity at sea, such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or drug trafficking, is denying Tanzanians of economic opportunities and contributes to food insecurity and political instability within populations.

The National Joint Operation Center has been designed to facilitate coordination between key security and law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the facility will also function as the National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC) to support regional information sharing under the Djibouti Code of Conduct agreement. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport, government institutions as the Tanzanian Navy, the Police Marine Unit, Customs, and port authorities are brought together, equipped with communication and surveillance technologies to enable real-time monitoring and response to a range of maritime threats.

“This center represents a major step forward in Tanzania’s ability to protect its territorial waters and combat maritime crime. By bringing together various agencies under one roof, the NJOC ensures that responses to maritime threats are swift, coordinated, and effective. We are proud to support Tanzania in this endeavour and look forward to seeing the long-term impact of this center on both national and regional security,” stated Mr. David O’Connell, Regional Programme Coordinator for the UNODC GMCP Indian Ocean West Team.

This initiative is aligned with UNODC Strategic Vision for Africa 2030, which promotes sustainable development and the protection of Africa's natural resources and also securing the safety of African people from organized crime, terrorism and violence and contributes to the attainment of United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, seeking to strengthen relevant national institutions to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

This project was made possible with the generous support of the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. David O’Connell (David.OConnell@un.org)

Western Indian Ocean Programme Coordinator

Global Maritime Crime Programme

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Click here to visit the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme website.