- More than 100 military, industry, and academic experts gathered to address critical maritime security challenges in the Western Indian Ocean, with a focus on the Red Sea crisis and enhanced operational coordination.
The 52nd edition of SHADE (Shared Awareness and De-confliction) Conference, co-chaired by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and Operation ATALANTA, concluded successfully in Bahrain from 16 to 17 December. The conference brought together key stakeholders from military operations, shipping industry, and academia to strengthen maritime security cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean region.
During the opening session, Combined Maritime Forces Commander Vice Admiral Wikoff and Operation ATALANTA Commander Vice Admiral Villanueva addressed the evolving maritime security landscape, particularly highlighting the challenges in the Red Sea.
The conference featured three specialized working groups focused on Information Sharing, Operations, and Intelligence. Notable achievements included the standardization of vessel registration processes, refinement of threat assessment protocols, and development of improved coordination mechanisms for emergency response. Industry representatives from ICS, INTERTANKO, BIMCO, and OCIMF provided crucial insights on emerging challenges, including GNSS spoofing and its impact on commercial shipping.
A major development announced during SHADE 52 was the transformation of the Maritime Security Centre (MSCHoA) in Brest. The center will transition from MSCHOA to become the Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean (MSCIO) by the end of December, marking a significant enhancement in regional maritime security capabilities. Additionally, the conference established a framework for quarterly follow-up meetings to ensure continuous progress on key initiatives.
The conference also addressed the critical issue of information sharing, with participants agreeing on several key improvements, including a unified registration format and streamlined communication protocols. These enhancements aim to reduce administrative burden on vessels while ensuring effective coordination between military and commercial stakeholders.
SHADE 52 concluded with a renewed commitment to protecting maritime commerce and ensuring freedom of navigation in the region, demonstrating the forum's vital role in fostering collaboration between military, industry, and regional stakeholders.
