Inauguration of 35m patrol ships and floating pontoon: enhanced patrol capabilities in high winds and rescue of migrants in distress.

On April 10, 2025, a ceremony was held in Djibouti City, Republic of Djibouti, for the donation of two 35-meter patrol boats and a floating pier supported by the Grant Aid Project ,“The Project for the Enhancement of Ability in Maritime Safety and Security”, signed in 2021.

The ceremony was attended by President Ismail Omar Guelleg, Minister of Infrastructure Hassan, Colonel Wais of the Djibouti Coast Guard, and other government officials from the Djibouti side, and H.E. Ambassador Keiichi Hara, Chief Representative of JICA Djibouti Office, Ms. Kotohi Inoue, and others from the Japanese side.

The Djibouti sea area is a strategic point for maritime transport between the Red Sea, Asia, and Europe, with an annual traffic of approximately 20,000 vessels, of which approximately 1,600 are related to Japan (according to the 2020 Anti-Piracy Report, 2021). In Djibouti's territorial waters, especially in the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the entrance to the Red Sea, illegal activities such as piracy, smuggling, poaching, and smuggling, and maritime accidents involving refugees have become a problem, making it important to strengthen patrol systems by the Djibouti Coast Guard.

The new 35-meter patrol ships are designed to withstand longer voyages and the strong winds of the Hamsin season, and will be able to conduct stable patrols, rescue operations, and law enforcement activities quickly and appropriately throughout the year. Through this support, it is expected to help ensure safe and smooth maritime transport and economic activities in the Djibouti sea area.