The MSCHOA

The Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) aims to provide a service to mariners in the Gulf of Aden, the Somali Basin and off the Horn of Africa. It is a Coordination Centre dedicated to safeguarding legitimate freedom of navigation in the light of increasing risks of pirate attack against merchant shipping in the region, in support of... the UN Security Council's Resolutions (UNSCR) 1814, 1816 and 1838. Through close dialogue with shipping companies, masters and other interested parties, MSCHOA will build up a picture of vulnerable shipping in these waters and their approaches. The Centre, which is manned by military and merchant navy personnel from several countries will then coordinate with a range or military forces operating in the region (notably EU NAVFOR) to provide support and protection to mariners. There is a clear need to protect ships and their crews from illegitimate and dangerous attacks, safeguarding a key global trade route. To do this effectively, MSCHOA needs to know about merchant vessels approaching, transiting or operating in the region. This website offers ship owners, ships Masters and agents the facility to register their details securely with MSCHOA, update positions of their vessels and receive information and guidance designed to reduce the risk of pirate attacks. MSCHOA has been set up by the EU as part of a European Security and Defence Policy initiative to combat piracy in the Horn of Africa. This work commenced with the establishment of EU NAVCO in September 2008. This Coordination Cell working in Brussels established linkages with a broad cross section of the maritime community and provided coordination with EU forces operating in the region. In November 2008, the Council of the European Union took a major step further by setting up a naval mission - EU NAVFOR ATALANTA - to improve maritime security off the Somali coast by preventing and deterring pirate attacks and help safeguard merchant shipping in the region. From mid-December 2008, an EU Naval Task Group, ...Read More