The IFC participated in 17th Industry Strategic Meeting (ISM) held in Madrid, Spain from 2 to Jun 2026. Organised by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA and co-chaired by EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the ISM brought together key stakeholders of the MARSEC and shipping community for candid discussions on current MARSEC concerns and how we can move forward together.
Hd IFC, SLTC Lester Yong, shared how the IFC continues to prioritise and support the shipping industry by leveraging on its global partner network and ILO corp. He also elaborated on how the IFCs engagement and capacity building initiatives were designed to foster trust; collaboration, and actionable insights, helping partners from both the MARSEC and shipping communities make better informed operational decisions, while enhancing maritime awareness and reducing incident response times.
Beyond information sharing, discussions covered a wide range of MARSEC challenges, including the resurgence of Somali pirates, evolving threats in the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz, GNSS interference and spoofing, hybrid and cyber threats, and the growing impact of geopolitical instability on global shipping. Speakers emphasised the importance of real-time information exchange, industry-military cooperation, freedom Of navigation, and the need for adaptive security frameworks that can respond to increasingly dynamic and multi-domain threats. The meeting also provided an excellent opportunity to engage with key MARSEC partners (e.g. MICA Center, JMIC, and UKMTO) and industry representatives from across Europe. The interactions helped strengthen professional networks, deepen mutual understanding of emerging challenges, and reaffirm the value Of international cooperation in safeguarding global trade and ensuring safe, secure and resilient maritime operations.
Together We Can Achieve Safe and Secure Seas For All!