Caribbean nations must strengthen cooperation and information sharing to address the growing threat of transnational maritime crime, according to Guyana's Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, who warned that criminal organisations are increasingly exploiting regional shipping routes and maritime borders.

Speaking at the Caribbean Port State Control Conference, Walrond said maritime security had become a collective regional responsibility rather than an issue that could be managed by individual states acting alone. She noted that the Caribbean's interconnected waters and expanding trade networks have created opportunities for criminal groups to operate across multiple jurisdictions, making coordinated responses essential.

Her remarks come as governments across the region continue to face challenges linked to organised crime, illegal trafficking and border security. The minister stressed that maritime threats are evolving in both scale and complexity, requiring authorities to adopt more integrated approaches to monitoring and enforcement.

Walrond highlighted the way criminal syndicates use shared maritime spaces to move illicit goods and people between countries. She said these networks take advantage of differences in national enforcement capabilities and exploit gaps in coordination between agencies and governments.

Among the activities identified as major concerns were narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling, human trafficking and illegal migration. Such operations often involve vessels travelling through several territories, making detection and interception more difficult for individual states acting independently.

The minister argued that stronger intelligence-sharing arrangements are necessary to track suspicious maritime activity and identify high-risk vessels before they enter ports. She said the exchange of inspection findings, operational intelligence and risk assessment data would help authorities build a clearer picture of movements across the region's waters.

According to Walrond, timely access to information can improve enforcement outcomes and strengthen the ability of countries to respond to emerging threats. She emphasised that criminal organisations are highly mobile and frequently adapt their methods, requiring security agencies to maintain close cooperation and remain alert to changing patterns of activity.

A central part of the regional response is the Caribbean Port State Control framework, which provides a mechanism for harmonising shipping standards and coordinating vessel inspections among participating states. The framework supports collaboration between maritime authorities and aims to ensure that vessels operating in regional waters comply with established international requirements.

Walrond said these arrangements play an important role in strengthening oversight and improving consistency across jurisdictions. By aligning inspection procedures and sharing operational information, member states are better positioned to identify potential risks and respond collectively when concerns arise.

She also outlined what she described as a dual-layered security approach. Under this model, authorities distinguish between vessel compliance measures and cargo-focused monitoring activities. While inspections of ships remain a critical component of maritime oversight, additional attention is directed towards the contents being transported through regional ports.

One of the principal tools supporting this effort is the Container Control Programme, which is backed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The programme assists authorities in identifying and examining high-risk cargo containers that may be linked to illicit activities. It is designed to improve the targeting of inspections and strengthen the capacity of enforcement agencies operating at ports and border points.

The minister's comments also reflected Guyana's changing economic landscape. Rapid economic growth has contributed to increased shipping activity and greater movement of goods through the country's ports. As trade volumes expand, so too does the need for effective monitoring and security measures.

Walrond noted that several domestic agencies are involved in safeguarding Guyana's maritime and border infrastructure. These include the Guyana Police Force, immigration authorities and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, all of which play roles in detecting and preventing illegal activities linked to maritime transport.

She said maintaining secure ports and borders is essential for protecting national interests while supporting continued economic development. Increased trade and investment bring significant opportunities, but they also require robust systems capable of identifying and addressing security risks.

The minister concluded by emphasising the importance of balancing security objectives with the efficient movement of legitimate commerce. Effective enforcement, she said, should strengthen confidence in regional trade networks while ensuring that ports remain safe, secure and open to lawful international business.

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