Shipping Arabia, October 16, 2026 – Yemen port security training and emergency preparedness efforts received renewed attention as a five-day maritime security workshop, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), concluded in Aden. The program brought together 30 participants from maritime authorities, port corporations and security agencies to strengthen risk assessment capabilities, improve port facility security and support safe navigation across Yemen’s strategic maritime waterways.
The workshop was organized under the Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area. It brought together port facility security officers, designated authority representatives and port security committee members to improve coordination and strengthen the implementation of maritime security measures.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Yemen’s Minister of Transport, Mohsen Haidara Al-Omari, emphasized the importance of preparing port facilities to identify and assess security risks, establish priorities and implement appropriate preventive measures. He stressed that effective emergency response must go hand in hand with maintaining the continuity of commercial shipping and maritime operations.
Yemen Port Security Training Focuses on Risk Assessment and Emergency Preparedness
Al-Omari described the workshop as an important opportunity to strengthen national maritime security capabilities and improve awareness of the requirements for protecting ships and port facilities.
He noted that current regional conditions and security challenges affecting maritime routes have increased the responsibility of national authorities to safeguard Yemen’s ports, vessels and waterways. Maintaining maritime trade and preventing the use of port facilities for unlawful activities remain essential priorities.
The minister urged participants to translate the knowledge acquired during the workshop into practical security measures at their respective ports and facilities. He emphasized that effective port security requires continuous training, professional development and regular exercises to test preparedness.
Al-Omari also called for periodic reviews of port security and emergency response plans, alongside checks to ensure that security equipment and systems remain operational and ready for use.
He highlighted the need to activate port security committees and strengthen cooperation among relevant government agencies. According to the minister, these committees play an important role in coordinating security efforts, defining institutional responsibilities and improving cooperation between stakeholders.
Thirty Participants Receive Specialized Maritime Security Training
The five-day workshop involved 30 representatives from Yemen’s Maritime Affairs Authority and the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Arabian Sea port corporations.
Participants also represented state security agencies, the Coast Guard, immigration authorities, Customs, naval forces, refineries and free zone security departments.
The training covered fundamental maritime security concepts and the threats facing vessels and port facilities. Participants examined different security levels, ship and port facility security assessments, security inspections and the preparation and implementation of port facility security plans.
Other sessions addressed security equipment and systems, emergency planning, security organization and the responsibilities of port security officers and port facility security officers.
The workshop also examined the role and responsibilities of port security committees, including their operating procedures, organizational structures and the allocation of duties among participating authorities.
Additional attention was given to port-level risk management, identifying security priorities and establishing effective coordination mechanisms between agencies responsible for maritime and port security.
The training aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge to improve security planning, strengthen institutional coordination and support the implementation of appropriate preventive measures within Yemen’s ports.
IMO and European Union Reaffirm Maritime Security Cooperation
Mustafa Abdulqader, the IMO representative for the Red Sea project, explained that the workshop focused on the fundamental requirements of port facility security.
He said the program aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of their duties and responsibilities within the port security framework.
Abdulqader reaffirmed the IMO’s commitment to providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to Yemeni maritime personnel. These efforts aim to strengthen the country’s maritime security arrangements and improve operational preparedness across its ports.
For his part, Al-Omari reiterated the Ministry of Transport’s support for the Maritime Affairs Authority, port organizations and other relevant national institutions in developing Yemen’s maritime security system.
He emphasized the importance of drawing on international expertise and expanding cooperation with the IMO, the European Union and other international partners.
The minister also called for the workshop’s outcomes to serve as a foundation for further improvements tailored to the operational requirements and security conditions of Yemeni ports.
Strengthening Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb
Al-Omari highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime security cooperation in light of the challenges affecting the region’s shipping routes.
He emphasized that improved port security, stronger institutional coordination and better-trained personnel contribute to protecting ports, vessels and seafarers while supporting safe navigation.
The minister specifically highlighted the importance of maritime security across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb, where maintaining the safety and continuity of shipping operations remains a central concern.
He thanked the IMO, the European Union, participating experts, consultants and national maritime authorities for their contributions to the workshop.
The closing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport for Maritime Affairs and Ports Capt. Ali Al-Subhi, Maritime Affairs Authority Chief Executive Fahim Saif and representatives of the Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area.
The event concluded with the recognition of participants and the distribution of certificates.
Source: Yemen Arabian Sea Ports Corporation
