The Middle East sits at the intersection of some of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes. The Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean connect major international markets and contain critical ports, energy infrastructure and commercial shipping lanes. Protecting these environments requires capable maritime institutions able to understand activity within their waters, protect strategic infrastructure, respond to incidents and cooperate effectively across agencies and national boundaries.

Stratum Global Risk supports governments, maritime security institutions and international partners with specialist maritime security advisory and capacity-building programmes. Drawing on experienced maritime practitioners and regional expertise, programmes can address individual national requirements or contribute to wider initiatives focused on maritime security and regional cooperation.

Areas of Focus

Maritime Domain Awareness

Effective maritime security begins with understanding what is happening within the maritime environment. Stratum can support the development of maritime domain awareness capability, including information management, analysis, coordination and decision-making processes that help authorities build a clearer operating picture and identify emerging maritime risks.

Coastal & Territorial Waters Security

National coastlines and territorial waters can face threats ranging from smuggling and trafficking to unauthorised maritime activity and wider security incidents. Capacity-building programmes can support operational planning, surveillance coordination, command arrangements and professional development for institutions responsible for coastal and territorial waters security.

Port & Critical Maritime Infrastructure Security

Ports, terminals, offshore facilities and associated infrastructure are critical to national economies and regional supply chains. Stratum can support security assessment, preparedness and capacity development designed to strengthen the protection and resilience of ports and other critical maritime infrastructure, including coordination between government authorities and relevant commercial operators.

Maritime Interdiction & Law Enforcement

Maritime authorities can play an important role in countering narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling, people trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime. Stratum can support appropriately mandated institutions with capability development focused on maritime law enforcement, operational planning, command and coordination, professional training and cooperation between maritime, border and law enforcement authorities.

Regional Maritime Coordination & Interoperability

Maritime threats frequently cross national boundaries and can affect multiple states simultaneously. Stratum can support initiatives designed to strengthen regional cooperation through professional exchanges, common procedures, coordination mechanisms, exercises and programmes that improve interoperability between national maritime institutions.

Protecting the Red Sea & Strategic Maritime Routes

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden form one of the world’s most important commercial maritime corridors, connecting the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Security disruption within this environment can affect international shipping, energy markets, ports and supply chains far beyond the immediate region.

For littoral states, effective maritime security therefore involves both strong national capability and the ability to cooperate with neighbouring countries and international partners. Maritime domain awareness, information sharing, coordinated responses, professional exchanges and joint exercises can all contribute to stronger regional capability.

Stratum’s Middle East presence and access to specialist maritime expertise provide a platform from which to support national programmes as well as wider initiatives focused on Red Sea maritime security and cooperation.

Ports, Borders & Transnational Threats

Maritime security is closely connected to wider border and national security. Ports and coastal areas can be exploited by organised criminal networks moving narcotics, weapons, people and illicit goods between jurisdictions. Addressing these threats requires cooperation between maritime authorities, police, customs, border organisations and intelligence institutions.

Strengthening maritime capability therefore often means improving how different organisations work together rather than developing one agency in isolation. Exercises and scenario-based development can help test information sharing, command arrangements and operational coordination while identifying areas requiring further development.

For governments responsible for major commercial ports and maritime infrastructure, this integrated approach can strengthen both national security and the resilience of economically critical assets.