Central American countries begin work on regional maritime strategy

Central American countries have commenced work on crafting a regional maritime strategy to enhance coordination and collaboration among six nations. Representatives from the Operational Network of Regional Cooperation of Maritime Administrations in Central America (ROCRAM-CA) convened with experts from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and national focal points during a virtual meeting on September 25th to pinpoint shared objectives for regional cooperation.

This initiative, supported by the Malaysian government, aims to bolster maritime capacity development and regional cooperation through collaboration with the IMO, Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM), and maritime administrations from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.

The meeting inaugurated the consultation phase, during which participants will examine the methodology, work plan, and subsequent actions. National focal points will supply pertinent information and strategic documents in the months ahead, which will inform a regional evaluation to pinpoint common goals and areas where collaborative efforts can yield benefits.

The strategy will ensure that the initiative remains regionally driven and encompasses the priorities and requirements delineated by the participating maritime administrations. Alongside the strategy, an implementation roadmap will outline key actions, approximate timelines, responsible parties, and monitoring mechanisms. This comprehensive framework will serve as a practical guide for regional maritime development and inform future technical cooperation and resource allocation aligned with the agreed-upon priorities.

The ROCRAM-CA Strategy embodies the initial phase of a broader regional commitment, realized through a practical subregional process. Following consultation and validation with the participating administrations, the strategy is projected to be finalized by December 2026.