Deep Blue Project strengthens maritime security arsenal

The Deep Blue Project has unveiled new surveillance technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armoured vehicles and tactical equipment to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security operations and combat illegal activities in the country’s territorial waters.

The new equipment was presented by Tal Spektor, Chief Executive Officer of HLS International, the technical partner to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on the Deep Blue Project, during the Africa International Defence Exhibition in Lagos.

Spector said the project, operated under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, provides comprehensive maritime security through intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated enforcement operations.

He explained that the project’s Command and Control Centre enables authorities to monitor vessels travelling from different parts of the world into Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

According to him, the system provides information on vessel ownership, International Maritime Organization (IMO) identification numbers, Automatic Identification System (AIS) status and other intelligence needed to track maritime movements and identify suspicious activities.

He added that recent upgrades to the project’s intelligence systems had improved its ability to monitor cargo movements and provide information relevant to NIMASA and other government agencies.

“Among the equipment displayed were a light utility vehicle for bush and land operations, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle, a newly delivered armoured vehicle and tactical equipment for the project’s special operations unit,” he said.

According to him, the VTOL drone could take off and land vertically, enabling it to operate from vessels at sea or from land and provide surveillance information during daytime and nighttime operations.

He noted that the tactical UAV system had been used in different operations over the past two years, adding that continuous technological upgrades were necessary to maintain operational effectiveness against evolving maritime threats.

The armoured vehicle, he said, would support special forces deployed to different operational environments, while the tactical equipment on display included night-vision devices, uniforms, arms and ammunition.

He stressed that maritime security operations must extend beyond the sea because illegal activities occurring offshore often have links to activities on land.

“Any illegal activity at sea will always start from the land, the importance of strengthening the operational capacity of personnel working under the Deep Blue Project,” he said.

Spector said the project’s responsibilities extend beyond combating piracy, militancy and the trafficking of arms and ammunition.

According to him, it also supports efforts to tackle illegal fishing, protect Nigeria’s marine environment, enforce maritime regulations and safeguard government revenue. He warned that illegal fishing activities undermine the livelihoods of coastal communities, while the unauthorised dumping of hazardous waste into the sea could damage marine ecosystems, threaten fish stocks and expose Nigerians to environmental and health risks.

He added that effective surveillance and enforcement could help ensure that vessels operating in Nigerian waters comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Spector also linked maritime security to the country’s economic interests, noting that improved enforcement could strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s maritime environment and support the financial interests of relevant government agencies.

He said the benefits of maritime security were not always immediately visible to members of the public, but could influence the safety of goods transported by sea, the cost of maritime insurance and the broader conditions for international trade.

The HLS International chief executive also highlighted what he described as significant improvements in Nigeria’s international maritime standing, attributing the progress to coordinated efforts involving NIMASA, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies.

He said Nigeria’s maritime security gains had contributed to the country’s removal from international maritime blacklists and red lists, as well as its successful election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.

He further cited the lifting of American sanctions after 12 years as part of the wider international developments he associated with improvements in Nigeria’s maritime and security environment.

However, the specific sanctions and international listings referenced by Spector were not detailed during the presentation.

Spector described the Deep Blue Project as an example of cooperation between civilian institutions and security agencies, arguing that effective maritime governance requires joint operations, reliable intelligence and regular investment in modern technology.

He said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA and other security agencies were working together to advance Nigeria’s maritime development and strengthen enforcement across the country’s maritime domain.

The presentation formed part of a major international and African exhibition featuring maritime security and defence capabilities. Spector said a maritime demonstration scheduled for 12:30 p.m. would showcase the operational capabilities of the special forces working under the Deep Blue Project.

He reaffirmed HLS International’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s maritime security objectives through technology, training and operational assistance.

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