A Bahrain-based multinational maritime force has officially opened its new operational headquarters that will closely monitor key shipping lanes and protect merchant vessels from threats.
Eight nations, including Bahrain, joined the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) since it launched operations in November last year.
The IMSC had since been operating from a military tent set up at the US Navy base in Juffair, which served as its temporary headquarters.
The new centre was formally opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.
IMSC’s mission to patrol shipping lanes, dubbed Coalition Task Force (CTF) Operation Sentinel, was launched following a string of vessel attacks that have been blamed on Iran.
The new and improved space will enhance the flow of information and allow for greater co-ordination in tracking merchant shipping as it transits through key waterways in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Oman.
“Our partners in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates share their exceptional political and geographic knowledge of the region,” said CTF Sentinel Commander Commodore Rob Bellfield.
“They know this region intimately because this is their home, which they graciously share with us.
“The interoperability between Sentry ships from the region and Sentinel ships from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as regional Naval Operation Centres, highlights the close relationship we have, allowing CTF Sentinel to maintain an operational strength we may not, otherwise, achieve.”
The opening ceremony of the new headquarters was limited to ensure social distancing as part of rules to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Representatives from the host nation, Bahrain, were in attendance.
“We are pleased to be here for the opening of the new headquarters of CTF Sentinel,” said Royal Bahrain Naval Forces Commander Rear Admiral Mohammed Al Asam.
“It marks another vital facet of the IMSC, which has proved to be effective in ensuring freedom of navigation, safety of all maritime shipping in the region and the strategic passageways.”
Acknowledging this milestone, Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jim Malloy said IMSC’s success comes from standing and working together.
“This coalition fulfils a much-needed role,” said Vice Adm Malloy.
“Its watchwords of ‘Vigilance, Surveillance, and Assurance’ tell you exactly what CTF Sentinel is about and why the task force plays such a key role in the region.
“They are providing the much-needed collective eyes and ears to some of the world’s most congested, contested waters.”
Vice Adm Malloy praised the “enduring commitment of all nations that contribute to the free flow of merchant shipping through some of the world’s busiest sea lanes.”
More than 17,000 ships per year pass through Bab Al Mandeb, while 42,000 vessels use the Strait of Hormuz – through which almost a fifth of global oil supplies pass – with Iranian threats to close the strategic waterways impacting global economies.
Under British-led CTF Sentinel, large naval ships watch critical choke points in co-ordination with other military and civilian shipping, while smaller patrol boats are also featured which cover the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Oman.
The coalition was set up following a number of attacks on the shipping industry last year and the seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait by the Iranians.
The last attack in the merchant maritime community in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz took place nearly one year ago in July last year.
The GDN previously reported that six members of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force are part of the 90 personnel in the IMSC team, and its navy ship patrol the shipping lane.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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