United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO)

Naval Response

No activity implemented or planned

No activity planned or implemented.

Industry Response

Ongoing activity

The UKMTO supports the industry Best Management Practices (BMP) and is listed in the BMP as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels in case of a pirate attack.

Plight of Seafarers

No activity implemented or planned

No activity planned or implemented.

Messaging and Advocacy

No activity implemented or planned

No activity planned or implemented.

Regional Capacity

No activity implemented or planned

No activity planned or implemented.

Somali Capacity

No activity implemented or planned

No activity planned or implemented.

Rule of Law

No activity implemented or planned

No activity planned or implemented.

Coordination

Ongoing activity

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office in Dubai acts as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels and liaison with military forces in the region. UKMTO Dubai also administers the Voluntary Reporting Scheme, under which merchant vessels are encouraged to send regular reports, providing their position/course/speed and ETA at their next port whilst transiting the region bound by Suez, 78°E and 10°S. UKMTO Dubai subsequently tracks vessels and the positional information is passed to CMF and European Union Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).