The project “Seaport Cooperation (SEACOP VI) financed by the European Union Foreign Policy Instrument 1, is implemented by a Consortium led by Expertise France (EF). The project aims to contribute to the fight against maritime illicit trade and associated criminal networks in the targeted countries and regions in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, consistent with human rights. 

The traffic of illicit goods is a growing and international phenomenon which has a devastating impact on social and economic development as well as public health. Its development can rely, among others, on the increasing use of maritime routes and containerisation for the international trade in the context of globalisation and, as a consequence, the difficulty faced by the relevant authorities in ports to control a growing volume of goods.  Traffic of illicit goods are orchestrated by transnational criminal groups operating across different continents which are often also involved in other criminal activities (ex: kidnapping, terrorism, money laundering…). Therefore, the maritime illicit trade is not an isolated element, it must be understood and dealt with taking into account the criminal environment evoked supra. This is key to ensure an efficient fight against it.

The Transatlantic route is one the most important, in particular for drug trafficking, coming from Latin America through the Caribbean and Western Africa into Europe as the main final destination. As criminal networks constantly adapt their methods and resources, it is important to target all geographic areas at the same time not allowing a safe place for the criminal who could transfer their activities to a place less controlled. This is the reason why SEACOP covers all three areas of Latin America, Caribbean and Western Africa, in close relationship with European authorities in charge of external borders. Though the former editions of SEACOP only focused on cocaine, this sixth edition will broaden the scope so as to cover all illicit trafficking, focussing on the shared need for information and intelligence sharing.

The overall objective of SEACOP VI is to support the fight against illicit maritime trafficking and associated criminal networks consistent with human rights in the targeted countries and regions in order to alleviate its negative impact on security, public health and socio-economic development.

In line with this overall objective, SEACOP VI will more precisely aim to:

·      Outcome 1: Contribute to the reinforcement of capacities for analysis and identification of suspicious vessels and intelligence sharing related to maritime and riverine illicit trafficking, including those subject to environmental criminality, in the targeted regions.

·       Outcome 2: Contribute to the reinforcement of capacities for maritime search and interdiction of illicit commodities, including those subject to environmental criminality, in the targeted regions.

·       Outcome 3: Improve cooperation and information sharing at regional and trans-regional level, including the promotion of law enforcement operations.