WAPCo Building Bridges for WAGP Offshore Protection

A team from the External Relations and Security departments on September 2, 2025, visited the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre, Zone F, located at Osu Castle, Accra.

This visit aimed to deepen WAPCo’s understanding of the Centre’s operations, establish a collaborative relationship with its leadership, and seek support in protecting the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) offshore.

The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the Centre’s 24/7 maritime operations room, offering the WAPCo team insight into MMCC’s real-time monitoring capabilities. The Deputy Director of the Centre reaffirmed the Centre’s readiness to support existing efforts to safeguard the pipeline.

This visit marks a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between WAPCo and ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre, Zone F, in securing the protection and security of the West African Gas Pipeline.

One of the key topics was the measures WAPCo has implemented to prevent anchor-related damage to the pipeline. These include establishing a Pipeline Protection Zone (PPZ) extending one nautical mile on either side of the pipeline, publishing the PPZ on official marine charts, and installing physical buoys along the pipeline route to enhance visibility. Additionally, WAPCo has entered into offshore patrol and surveillance contracts with the navies of all four WAGP States to ensure continuous monitoring of the pipeline.

Naval Captain Daniel Ehu, Director of the Centre and his Deputy, Lieutenant Commander Edem Akati, commended WAPCo’s proactive approach and recognized the pipeline as a vital regional asset. They assured WAPCo of their commitment to increasing awareness about the WAGP among maritime stakeholders. Their immediate actions include promoting awareness of the pipeline across stakeholder platforms, including WAGP updates in routine maritime bulletins, adding WAPCo to their information-sharing networks, and engaging Zone E on joint protection measures.

The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the Centre’s 24/7 maritime operations room, offering the WAPCo team insight into MMCC’s real-time monitoring capabilities. The Deputy Director of the Centre reaffirmed the Centre’s readiness to support existing efforts to safeguard the pipeline.

This visit marks a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between WAPCo and ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre, Zone F, in securing the protection and security of the West African Gas Pipeline.

ECOWAS Maritime Zone F comprises both coastal and landlocked member states, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It is overseen by the Multinational Maritime Coordinating Centre (MMCC) Zone F, located in Accra, Ghana, which coordinates maritime safety and security efforts, including sharing information, tracking vessels, and facilitating joint operations to combat maritime crime like piracy and illegal fishing.

The WAPCo delegation expressed their appreciation to the Maritime Coordination Center leadership for the opportunity to engage. They highlighted the role of WAGP in promoting regional integration and economic growth by transporting natural gas in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

One of the key topics was the measures WAPCo has implemented to prevent anchor-related damage to the pipeline. These include establishing a Pipeline Protection Zone (PPZ) extending one nautical mile on either side of the pipeline, publishing the PPZ on official marine charts, and installing physical buoys along the pipeline route to enhance visibility. Additionally, WAPCo has entered into offshore patrol and surveillance contracts with the navies of all four WAGP States to ensure continuous monitoring of the pipeline.

Naval Captain Daniel Ehu, Director of the Centre and his Deputy, Lieutenant Commander Edem Akati, commended WAPCo’s proactive approach and recognized the pipeline as a vital regional asset. They assured WAPCo of their commitment to increasing awareness about the WAGP among maritime stakeholders. Their immediate actions include promoting awareness of the pipeline across stakeholder platforms, including WAGP updates in routine maritime bulletins, adding WAPCo to their information-sharing networks, and engaging Zone E on joint protection measures.

The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the Centre’s 24/7 maritime operations room, offering the WAPCo team insight into MMCC’s real-time monitoring capabilities. The Deputy Director of the Centre reaffirmed the Centre’s readiness to support existing efforts to safeguard the pipeline.

This visit marks a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between WAPCo and ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre, Zone F, in securing the protection and security of the West African Gas Pipeline.