SEACOM
Southeast Asian Cooperation on Maritime Security Project
CONTEXT
The Indo-Pacific region and its rules-based maritime order are central to the global economic and security interests. Strategically important sea routes such as the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca are strategically important for international trade, access to critical raw materials and stable supply chains. However, geopolitical tensions, hybrid threats, piracy, illegal fishing and risks to critical maritime infrastructure are increasing. The central pillars of the rules-based international order, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are also being increasingly challenged in the region. Despite existing regional cooperation mechanisms, gaps remain in the exchange of security-related information and in the joint monitoring of maritime activities between regional states. Against this background, the SEACOM project supports the selected ASEAN member states – the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia – in strengthening their regional cooperation in monitoring key sea routes in order to strengthen the rules-based maritime order and ensuring safe and open sea routes in Southeast Asia.
OBJECTIVE
The regional cooperation between the selected ASEAN member states has been improved to monitor key sea routes in Southeast Asia. The overarching objective is to promote good governance and strengthen the rules-based maritime order and ensure safe and open maritime routes in Southeast Asia, through enhanced regional cooperation and transparent surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.
APPROACHES
The project comprises four components: 1) procurement, 2) capacity development, 3) strategy and policy advisory, and 4) regional cooperation. Implementation will be carried out in close coordination with regional and international partners. This networking will enable the exchange of best practices, foster trust between each other and create a stable framework for future cooperation.
The SEACOM Thailand collaborates closely with national partners to bolster Thailand’s maritime law enforcement and maritime security capabilities.
To achieve the project objectives, three main outputs are being pursued:
- Thailand has the necessary technical equipment to support cooperation in the monitoring of key maritime routes in Southeast Asia.
- Information sharing and communication between the selected ASEAN member states regarding the monitoring of key maritime routes and the promotion of sustainable development in Southeast Asia are strengthened.
- Selected ASEAN member states contribute to the support of the 1982 UNCLOS and the ASEAN Code of Conduct for the South China Sea by participating in joint training activities.
FINANCED BY
German Federal Foreign Office (AA)
COUNTRY
Regional level: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia
PROJECT PARTNERS
Philippines: Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns; National Maritime Center; Philippine Coast Guard
Indonesia: Indonesia Maritime Security Agency
Thailand: Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC)
PROJECT DURATION
May2026 – March 2028
Contact information
Email: lisa.faust@giz.de