What is the future agenda of maritime security studies?

In a new article published with International Affairs, Christian Bueger and Tim Edmunds set out to contextualize the rise of maritime security and discuss what follows for the agenda of maritime security studies, but also the discipline more broadly. One of the areas that the article highlights is the importance of capacity building. The article … Read more

Maritime Security in Seychelles

This concept note introduces the SAFE SEAS case study of the maritime security sector in the Seychelles. Drawing on the SPIP methodology, the country profile is introduced, the organization of maritime space reviewed and the core maritime security issues identified by the country are discussed. The Seychelles provides a particularly interesting case as an archipelagic … Read more

New Concept Note on Maritime Security in Seychelles published

The Seychelles provides a particularly interesting case study as an archipelagic Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in which oceans policy for sustainable development and maritime security are core drivers of the governmental agenda. To illuminate these important issues, SAFE SEAS has published a new Concept Note on Maritime Security in Seychelles that examines how Seychelles regulates … Read more

New publication investigates maritime domain awareness

In a new publication titled “Effective Maritime Domain Awareness in the Western Indian Ocean”, SAFESEAS principal investigator Prof. Bueger discusses the importance of maritime domain awareness for the region and asks how the structures can be better supported. He argues for the importance of paying more attention to low-tech solutions and working with human sources. The … Read more

Mapping Maritime Security Sectors

Maritime security capacity building in the Western Indian Ocean remains a largely experimental process. At SAFE SEAS we are interested in mapping Maritime Security Sector Reform (MSSR) processes in this region, centred on practices or ‘concrete’ activities rather than conceptual or theoreticalapproaches. This allows for a more nuanced representation of a states maritime sector and … Read more

Capacity Building and the Ownership Dilemma

This working paper, part of the capacity building project, addresses the question of ‘local ownership’ in international capacity building and security sector reform.Keywords: Maritime Security Sector Reform; Capacity Building; Local Ownership; Dilemmas of Ownership; SPIP Methodology Read the paper here.

Refining SPIP

SAFE SEAS has just published two new Concept Notes outlining initial project results. The first is titled Capacity Building and the Ownership Dilemma and discusses the importance of ‘local ownership’ in international capacity building endeavours and security sector reform. It also explores the importance of the principles of local ownership within the context of the SAFE SEAS SPIP methodology. The … Read more

Somali sea hijack is a warning signal

The hijacking of the Aris 13 tanker by Somali pirates last week was a warning signal – it reiterates the importance of maintaining international counter-piracy efforts while also building the capacity of western Indian Ocean states to manage and develop their own maritime security needs. SAFE SEAS published a commentary on the incident with The Conversation … Read more

Maritime Security Capacity Building: Spotting the Gaps.

This working paper, part of the Capacity Building project, discusses which methodologies are available for assessing maritime security sectors. On this basis it proposes a new methodology the Spaces, Problems, Institutions, Projects framework. Read the paper here.