The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) are launching the SMART-C Maritime Security and Counter-Piracy project, designed to strengthen the capacity of coastal States in the Gulf of Guinea to combat piracy and other maritime illicit activities.
As explained, this initiative directly addresses the United Nations Security Council’s recent calls for enhanced international cooperation and robust support for regional nations and institutions working to combat piracy and ensure international peace and security in the region. According to Dryad Global, piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea have surged by 30% in 2025, underlining the region’s persistent security challenges.