CRIMSON: Critical Maritime Routes Programme

CRIMSON: Critical Maritime Routes

In collaboration with the European Union, RUSI Europe’s CRIMSON project aims to promote regional and trans-regional cooperation to overcome the fragmented approach that arises from different levels of capacity and interest among littoral states; contributing to creating trans-regional synergies and increase maritime security and safety of critical maritime routes. The project focuses on two main regions (the Wider Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea).

In addition to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities, CRIMSON works to enhance the visibility of Critical Maritime Routes (CMR) components, highlighting their impact on the ground. To achieve this goal, CRIMSON has developed a range of products, including a new CMR website, a CMR video, short animated films and a CMR dashboard.

The project also has an ‘expert analysis’ role and provides analytical inputs to the CMR programme. As such, CRIMSON produces briefs and analysis on emerging trends, threats and policy shifts in key areas along the critical maritime routes.

Project phases

CRIMSON I (2011-2014) was implemented by the Défense Conseil International (DCI).
(CRIMSON II, 2015-2019) was managed by RUSI Europe.
RUSI Europe is also currently implementing the third phase of CRIMSON that will last until January 2024.

Reports and Studies

Cybersecurity in Maritime Critical Infrastructure: Reflection on African Ports

Modern commercial ports are a critical infrastructure which is highly dependent on information systems. The security of a port thus relies on the integrity of both physical and cyber assets. Despite evidence that ports are becoming targets for hackers, whose attacks can affect both cyber and physical assets and halt operations, too many ports have inadequate cybersecurity. Physical threats, incidents, and accidents to the physical assets (e.g., terminals, gates, buildings) of the maritime infrastructures or cyber threats and attacks to the cyber assets (e.g., Port Community Systems, navigation systems) can jeopardise the maritime operations, disrupt supply chains and destroy international trade and commerce.

The Economic Costs and Socio-economic Impacts of Maritime Threats in the Gulf of Guinea

Given the critical role of the maritime domain to security, governance, and prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea, both at sea and onshore, this report seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the trends in illicit activities at sea in the region and costs they impose, both financial and socioeconomic. The report looks specifically at three forms of maritime threats: piracy and armed robbery at sea, maritime trafficking of arms, wildlife, and drugs, and IUU fishing, across 19 states from Cabo Verde to Angola.