An agreement to enhance marine safety, security and environment protection has been signed between Maldives and India.

The MoU signed on Thursday on the occasion of the World Maritime Day, is titled “Augmenting Marine Safety, Security and Environment Protection in the Region through the Cooperation in the Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships System”.

High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir signed on behalf of the government of India, with Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula signing on behalf of the Maldivian government.

The Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) System is vital for all members of the International Maritime Organization and provides for the global identification and tracking of ships to strengthen security of shipping and marine environment protection.

Further, the agreement will help Maldives utilize service of the government of India’s LRIT– National Data Centre facility to fulfill its obligations as an IMO member