Romania Joins Major International Maritime Security Coalition in Middle East

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Louis Staats | 201120-N-PS962-1306 BAB EL-MANDEB STRAIT (Nov. 20, 2020) – The Royal Saudi Naval Force frigate Makkah (814), back, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), not pictured, provide overwatch as the Royal Bahrain Naval Force patrol warship Al Zubara transits the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Nov. 20. The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) maintains the freedom of navigation, international law and free flow of commerce to support regional stability and security of the maritime commons. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Louis Thompson Staats IV)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

03.26.2022

Story by NAVCENT Public Affairs    

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) announced March 26 that Romania has joined a multinational maritime coalition established in 2019 to deter attacks on commercial shipping in the Middle East.

Romania joined the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) and its operational arm, Coalition Task Force Sentinel. Headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. 5th Fleet, IMSC previously included eight partner-nations. Romania becomes the ninth and newest member since Estonia joined in late-2020.

“We are excited to welcome Romania to the team,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “They have a proud naval tradition and we look forward to adding their skills and professionalism to one of our most essential and effective multinational organizations in the Middle East.”

Personnel from the Romanian Navy are initially slated to serve at IMSC’s headquarters.

IMSC was formed in July 2019 in response to increased threats to freedom of navigation for merchant mariners transiting international waters in the Middle East. Coalition Task Force Sentinel was established four months later to deter state-sponsored malign activity and reassure the merchant shipping industry in the Bab al-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz.

In addition to Romania, IMSC member-nations include Albania, Bahrain, Estonia, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.

• Date Taken: 03.26.2022
• Date Posted: 03.26.2022 02:17
• Story ID: 417238
• Location: MANAMA, BH