According to a note from the Ministry of Transport dated May 6, the official inauguration is scheduled to take place « soon, » with the presence of international partners, including the European Union.
The Gabonese Ministry of Transport and Merchant Marine has announced the establishment of a National Maritime Surveillance Center in Libreville, directly under the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine. « Equipped with cutting-edge technologies that meet international standards, such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), this center will enable continuous monitoring and effective coordination between various stakeholders, including the National Navy, fisheries services, and port authorities, » according to the announcement.
This innovation is part of a coordinated response to maritime threats, offering real-time surveillance of Gabon’s territorial waters and facilitating the collection of intelligence crucial to preventing pirate attacks. The center is also set to become a national maritime intelligence hub.
The surveillance center, now operational 24/7 with a dedicated team being assigned, is expected to be officially inaugurated « soon, » in the presence of international partners, including the European Union. « This project illustrates Gabon’s strong political will to protect its national waters and strengthen its maritime sovereignty, » stated the Gabonese Ministry of Transport.
The establishment of this center follows the tragedy of the ferry Esther Miracle, which sank off Gabon’s coast on March 9, 2023. The ferry, operating between Libreville, the political capital, and Port-Gentil, the economic capital, sank, causing numerous fatalities and leaving many families in mourning. This tragic incident highlighted the gaps in maritime safety and prompted Gabonese authorities to implement structural reforms in the sector.
Source: ecomatin
