The current record for such a feat stands at 5 years and 11 days. Louis Margot is determined to complete it in less than 3 years. He departed from his hometown of Morges, Switzerland, on 3 September 2023. From there, he cycled to Portimão, Portugal, then rowed across the Atlantic to Santa Marta, Colombia. His journey continued on land to Lima, Peru, and from there, he crossed the Pacific to the Marquesas Islands, where he arrived on the 8th of March 2025.

During his crossing of the Pacific, Louis’s route was monitored by Peruvian maritime authorities and the French Maritime Rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC)via the IORIS platform while within their national waters. This cooperation highlights the growing role of technology and international collaboration in supporting and safeguarding solo expeditions.

In your opinion, how has modern technology changed the way solo expeditions like yours are planned and carried out compared to the past?

“Planning and embarking on a solo journey require significant mental resilience. Being alone at sea for days on end—sometimes without seeing a single person—can be mentally challenging. To prepare myself, I dedicated a lot of time to yoga and meditation, which helped me build focus and inner calm.

At the same time, modern technology plays a crucial role in making such expeditions safer and more manageable, especially when navigating alone across vast and often unpredictable waters. Onboard, I have access to a satellite phone, which provides fast and reliable communication, even in the most remote parts of the ocean. It allows me to stay in touch with my support team and loved ones, which brings a sense of comfort and security that’s hard to overstate.

Through various apps and digital tools, I can also access real-time weather forecasts, sea conditions, and current patterns—information that is vital for planning each leg of the journey and reacting to unexpected changes. Navigational tools like AIS help me maintain awareness of nearby vessels and potential hazards, making it easier to make informed, safe decisions on the move.

During one of my regular updates with my team, I learned that my journey from Peru to the Marquesas Islands was being tracked via the IORIS platform. I wasn’t familiar with the platform before, but I was genuinely pleased to hear that the Peruvian Coast Guard and the French Maritime Coordination Centre were following my progress and sharing my position through the system. Knowing that the platform facilitated communication and coordination among different centres made me feel supported and protected, even in the middle of the ocean, and I will be happy if my next leg, until Indonesia would be shared on IORIS too! “

What message would you give to maritime authorities about the importance of strengthening international cooperation, especially from the perspective of someone navigating alone in the middle of the ocean?

“As someone who navigates the vast ocean alone, I can say with absolute certainty that international cooperation is not just important—it’s essential. Out here, borders don’t exist the way they do on land. The sea is shared by all of us, and so are its challenges. Issues like illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, or safety at sea don’t stop at territorial waters. No country can tackle these problems in isolation.

When you’re alone in the middle of the ocean, you realize how interconnected we all are. You see things—ships behaving suspiciously, oil slicks, ghost nets—that might never be reported or acted upon simply because there’s no clear, unified way to share that information. A simple, standardized app for reporting suspicious activity or environmental damage could make a world of difference. As sailors, we are the eyes and ears out here, hence we can help enforce maritime laws and protect our ocean more effectively.

Stronger international cooperation would mean shared data, better communication, quicker response times, and a safer, more sustainable ocean for everyone. “

Louis Margot is currently resting and preparing for the final, crucial stretch of his sea journey, which will take him to Indonesia—before he begins the cycling leg back to Europe. This last part of his maritime adventure is particularly challenging due to complex ocean currents, and to Louis’ knowledge, only one other person has ever attempted this route.

As we wish him the best of luck on this daring endeavour, we also take this opportunity to encourage agencies using IORIS in the region to support and follow his journey in the next months. His expedition is not only a test of human endurance but also a powerful reminder of the importance of international cooperation and shared responsibility on the world’s oceans.

About Louis Margot

Originally from Morges, Switzerland, 33-year-old Louis Margot is a distinguished athlete and committed adventurer. With a background in international rowing and extensive long-distance cycling, he chose to follow a powerful inner calling and take on the most ambitious challenge of his life: Human Impulse. Guided by the values of resilience, determination, and optimism, Louis aims to prove that even the boldest dreams—those that might seem impossible—can become reality. Through his journey, he hopes to encourage young people to reflect on their own aspirations and to pursue what truly matters to them.

To know more about the adventure: humanimpulse.ch

Photo: © Olivier Gréduvan

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Co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy, the meeting brought together maritime security experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region. The event emphasised strengthening the governance of the IORIS platform and consolidating its use for addressing maritime security challenges. Notable developments included:

• Launch of IORIS Version 4, along with a new “lite” version designed for merchant ships. This initiative aimed to foster enhanced cooperation between state and industry stakeholders, promoting a unified approach to maritime safety and information sharing.
• Formalisation of Regional Standard Operating Procedures and Information Sharing Memorandum of understanding, a significant step towards a more integrated and cooperative maritime environment.
• Collaborative Solutions for Platform Challenges: Working groups delved into a range of technical, legal, and operational challenges associated with platform usage. Special focus was placed on developing solutions for sensitive information sharing and addressing jurisdictional issues related to transnational maritime incidents.

This event built upon the momentum set by previous IORIS gatherings, including:  the inaugural Steering Committee Meeting in Bali (May 2023); the Policy Board and Working Group Meeting in Kenya (October 2023), the IORIS Steering Committee Meeting in Colombo (March 2024).

Each of these meetings contributed significantly to shaping IORIS into a robust, secure, and collaborative platform, used by countries across the Indo-Pacific to tackle maritime safety challenges and facilitate sustainable governance of regional waters.

The CRIMARIO II Project Director, Martin Cauchi Inglott, highlighted the rapid growth of the platform and reaffirmed CRIMARIO’s commitment to developing new features that add value. “IORIS has continued to evolve, and our collaborative approach with regional partners has ensured that the platform remains at the forefront of maritime safety and cooperation initiatives,” he said

Special thanks were extended to Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rajapriya Serasinghe, and Admiral (Retd.) P.H. Piyal De Silva, CRIMARIO Special Advisor to South Asia, for their leadership and invaluable support in co-chairing the event. Appreciation was also expressed to the CRIMARIO and Expertise France teams for their exceptional efforts.

A huge thank you to all participants for their dedication and meaningful contributions to the platform’s development.

The community’s dedication to IORIS has been instrumental in advancing the platform; its role has been crucial in laying the groundwork to ensure that IORIS remains a relevant and effective tool for addressing maritime security and safety challenges across the region. By fostering trust, collaboration, and enabling information-sharing, the community strengthens the platform’s impact. Moreover, its ongoing support will be indispensable as we continue to develop and enhance IORIS. By expanding its reach and functionality through our collective efforts, CRIMARIO can ensure that the platform meets the diverse needs of all stakeholders, effectively addressing the complex maritime challenges we face.

As the IORIS platform continues to expand, the next IORIS Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled for 21-23 May 2025 in the Philippines. This upcoming event will focus on further strengthening the platform’s capabilities and promoting international cooperation for safer, more secure maritime governance.

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The partnership formalises a comprehensive cooperation mechanism, enabling the use of a state-of-the-art maritime cooperation and information-sharing platform. This system provides Panama with enhanced capabilities to communicate and coordinate and respond to maritime incidents, ultimately improving the country’s ability to safeguard its vast territorial waters.

The Panama National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) will be the primary operator of the platform within the country, leveraging IORIS’s advanced features for maritime situational awareness and coordination. This integration strengthens Panama’s operational capabilities, allowing for a more effective and coordinated response to potential threats, such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, and other illicit maritime activities.

By accessing the platform, Panama gains access to a comprehensive network of maritime agencies and organizations that are part of the Indo-Pacific region’s efforts to bolster maritime safety and security.

The integration of Panama into the IORIS network signifies the growing international collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime security across global waterways. Panama’s strategic location and its role as a major global shipping hub make it a vital partner in the ongoing efforts to ensure safe and secure seas, not only in the Indo-Pacific but also across the Caribbean and Atlantic regions.

The partnership with IORIS is just one aspect of Panama’s ongoing efforts to boost maritime security and sustainable governance. Panama has long been recognized as a leader in maritime affairs, and this latest move further reinforces its dedication to protecting its maritime domain while contributing to international cooperation initiatives. By adopting innovative technologies and collaborating with global partners, Panama is positioning itself as a key player in the collective efforts to combat illegal maritime activities and promote safer seas. The Panama National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) is already actively involved in safeguarding Panama’s territorial waters. With IORIS now integrated into its operations, SENAN will be better equipped to detect and respond to suspicious activities, ensuring a robust maritime defence system that protects Panama’s resources and security interests.

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Both trainers are highly motivated to help the Somaliland Coast Guard strengthen its role in regional maritime security through this intensive program.

The day began with opening remarks from Kenneth Neijnes, who underscored the growing challenges in the Gulf of Aden, which has become more problematic in recent years. He stressed the urgent need for countries and maritime organizations in the region to collaborate more closely.

“Only by sharing information on maritime security can we reverse this negative trend,” Neijnes remarked. He also highlighted the help the CRIMARIO  project can bring to the region and how the IORIS platform, which is currently utilized by over 100 maritime organizations in more than 50 countries can be useful in the area. The platform, he noted, is vital not only for security but also for Search and Rescue operations, saving lives at sea.

Lt. Colonel Khadar Isse, Head of International Relations, emphasized the importance of mutual support in building competence. He pointed out that stronger participants must assist those with less experience to ensure no one is left behind. Lt. Colonel Isse stressed that it is essential for the Somaliland Coast Guard to gain a thorough understanding of the IORIS system in order to manage maritime operations effectively and coordinate with organizations beyond Somaliland’s borders.

Colonel Abdirahman Nour, Head of Operations, elaborated on how the IORIS system could greatly enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to access critical information from other maritime organizations and engage in professional, secure collaboration.

Poul Severinsen, Head of EUCAP Field Office Somaliland, spoke about the significant advancements the Somaliland Coast Guard is currently experiencing. These include the construction of a new command centre and communication tower in Berbera, supported by EUCAP. He also touched on ongoing efforts to boost Maritime Domain Awareness, enhance cooperation, and improve information-sharing practices. The collective message from all the speakers was clear: Together we are stronger.

This collaborative effort aims to build a safer and more secure maritime environment for everyone in the Gulf of Aden.

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Organized and took place in Palawan, the exercise saw the participation of 22 agencies from the Philippines; it aimed to test and enhance the interoperability among national and local agencies and demonstrate their capability to coordinate and render support in identifying and fighting maritime threats.

During the two days, agencies’ personnel operated together in a simulated and real environment to address and solve a complex situation involving ships suspected of illegal drug trafficking, illegal transport of endangered species, IUU fishing, and Search and Rescue around Puerto Princesa.

To facilitate communication, coordination, and cooperation among operational centers and assets at sea, participating agencies used IORIS, the Indo-Pacific Information Sharing Platform, a neutral, secured, and reliable tool, designed to enable inter-agency communication and coordination between domestic and international stakeholders to address the evolving and complex challenges within the maritime domain.

The successful conclusion of the exercise highlighted lessons learned and techniques that will improve the already good level of joint response to real-world complex maritime emergencies. At the same time, IORIS proved to be a reliable communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national level, facilitating the gathering, analysis, and exchange of information to timely and efficiently support decision-making and actions at sea.

Participating in the event, Luc Veron, EU Ambassador to the Philippines stated: “The Philippines’ embrace of IORIS underscores the country’s deep understanding of the importance of the maritime domain. As the first Southeast Asian nation to adopt IORIS nationally, the Philippines, through the leadership of the NCWC, Coast Guard, Navy, and other authorities, demonstrates its commitment to collaboratively addressing the complex challenges of today’s maritime environment.

This exercise is a testament to the Philippines’ dedication to enhancing maritime safety and security at the national level. By leveraging IORIS, it fosters inter-agency cooperation between maritime and relevant agencies.”

The Guest of Honor, the first Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns, Secretary Andres C. Centino on his message emphasized: “With expanded functions, the National Maritime Center will now work with more support agencies, continue to coordinate and collaborate with partners, including our foreign allies, ensuring that we are fully capable of being aware of the maritime situation within our archipelago.”

In his closing message, CG VADM Roy A. Echeverria, Director of NM Center underlined: ““I commend each and every participant of this Interagency Exercise ALALAYAN 2024. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone for we had a resounding success of our Table-Top Exercise, Command Post Exercise, and Field Training Exercise. Your support and participation in this Interagency Exercise is a declaration of your commitment and unwavering efforts to promote a whole-of-government approach to enhancing maritime governance in the country. This activity has indeed demonstrated everyone’s expertise and collective contributions in achieving our objectives and furthering our shared goal of enhancing maritime security.”

Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director concluded: “The Philippines has been at the forefront of welcoming IORIS to the region and is now set to lead the way in taking ownership of IORIS, using it internally, and bridge to external partners whenever necessary. My hearty congratulations go to these most professional maritime agencies participating in the exercises in the past days and to the NMC for organizing and playing an essential role in conducting it”.

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Over the three days, participants considered how to move towards a common management of the system, to facilitate coherent and efficient use of IORIS amongst all users, whilst ensuring for the long-term vision of the platform’s adoption and employment.

Central to the discussion the enhancement of the of IORIS’ role in enabling Command, Control and Communication (C3), data storage policy, and the accountability of users, with the ultimate goal of strengthening cooperation for more safe and secure seas.

The meeting, co-chaired by CRIMARIO and the Sri Lanka Navy, is another important milestone for the Indo-Pacific governance of the IORIS platform, which endorsed, amongst others, legal documents consolidating the governance structure and establishing rules for the information exchange and for the general use of IORIS to best serve the needs of all users in the Indo-Pacific.

Moreover, the implementation of the Regional IORIS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Indo-Pacific will continue to contribute to the enhancement of information exchange within the region in a harmonised manner, using standard reporting methodology and terminology, hence facilitating the coordinating process among members.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Lars Bredal, Chargé d’Affaires at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and Maldives, affirmed: “The European Union and Indo-Pacific countries have a stake in each other’s prosperity and security. Our regions share the same interest in upholding the rules-based international order – with the UN Charter at its core. In the area of maritime safety and security the EU funded CRIMARIO enables Indo-Pacific partners to better govern their maritime spaces with the use of the IORIS neutral and secure information-exchange platform. “

In his opening speech the Sri Lanka Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, highlighted a shift in maritime security strategies, emphasizing the growing importance of sharing information among maritime nations over traditional individual or country-specific measures: “This collective approach to information sharing is crucial for combating maritime crimes and ensuring safe seas, and maritime nations should join a maritime information network and relax individual information sharing protocols to achieve this goal. Furthermore, he emphasised the commendable contribution of IORIS instructors in expanding the perspectives of Sri Lanka Navy personnel and emphasized how the IORIS platform has been instrumental in effectively resolving and addressing maritime issues on a regular basis.

Furthermore, Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director, added: “We have learnt that to progress, we need to be innovative, plan ahead, and most important of all, ensure that all IORIS users feel that they are part of the decision-making process, and hence this Steering Committee. This pathway will continue leading towards greater achievements, in terms of both expansion of the Community and efficiency of the platform, and perhaps we should be now looking at more out-of-the box solutions to continue propelling us forwards.”

The conference follows the first IORIS Steering Committee (ISC) meeting held in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2023, which lead to the  implementation of the regional governance and the creation of its supporting working groups (Policy, Legal, Operational, and Technical) and the subsequent IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Group meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2023, during which specific actions were discussed to operationalise the governance of IORIS.

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Over the two days, participants will consider how to move towards the common management of the system, to facilitate coherent and efficient use for all IORIS users, whilst also ensuring for the long-term implementation of the platform. This will start with the establishment of the first IORIS Steering Committee in Bali, which will lead to creating a number of supporting working groups.

Once established, the IORIS regional governance will set strategic guidance on the future management, development, administration, and technical support of the IORIS platform itself, further enhancing information exchange and crisis/incident management, strengthening inter-agency cooperation in maritime surveillance, including in supporting sustainable fisheries.

The event is organised by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment; and implemented by CRIMARIO II, an EU-funded maritime capacity building project.

Opening the event, the EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Vincent Piket underlined: “This meeting co-organised by the EU, CRIMARIO and the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment is a great example of our engagement in the Indo-Pacific region: bringing Asian, African, American and European partners together on a joint platform for collaborating on maritime safety and security. This is the essence of the EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

In the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia is an important partner for the EU, with cooperation spanning trade, climate action and regional security. Last year, the EU and Indonesia conducted a joint Naval exercise in the framework of the Atalanta operation in the north-western Indian Ocean. Beyond the maritime domain, we cooperate on counterterrorism, cyber and crisis management. With today’s meeting we take both the bilateral and the multilateral partnerships another step further.”

In his opening remarks Mr. Helyus Komar, Acting Director for Maritime Security and Resilience of the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, underlined:

“Technology in maritime and connectivity will boost dynamic routing, considering weather, currents and traffic, and knowing which is the most efficient and safe route. It will power the innovations of the maritime security now and into the future.

Appreciation to the IORIS team for hosting the comprehensive training program for our ministries and agencies personnel. During these trainings, we have noted that IORIS could potentially contribute to addressing maritime security challenges by offering a platform for information sharing.”

Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director, said:

“This first historic meeting is one where authorities and agencies from like-minded Indo-Pacific countries are coming together to define how a shared information-exchange platform can be used to address common threats and challenges. This because safer and more secure seas, are vital for global trade, and therefore in the interest of all!”

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By far the most problematic source of maritime insecurity for States is the phenomenon of obstacles to the freedom of the seas. I would add that the most commonly cited risks and threats at sea, such as piracy, unreported and unregulated illegal fishing (IUU), maritime terrorism and other criminal activities, are only the by-products of this fundamental issue, which is for states to be able to control their maritime domain but also to ensure free navigation on the seas. 

Maritime flows and trade lie at the heart of globalisation. However, maritime transport and ports account for 90% of the goods exchanged and we should see an intensification of trade on the seas with the consequences that this implies in the security field. This maritimisation of trade and the weight of the Indo-Pacific have given new importance to the geopolitics of the seas and oceans. 

In your opinion, how can the European Union enhance maritime security in the Indo Pacific region? 

I think the protection of the maritime domain of States and the control of navigation in strategic areas have become priorities for a large number of countries in the Indo-Pacific. This is leading to new sources of tension and maritime insecurity and the search for innovative tools to facilitate better maritime domain awareness  and regional cooperation to improve the exchange of maritime information.

This is an area where the EU can contribute a lot. The EU does not have a navy and its partners do not expect it to be in a combat role. building capacity, strengthening maritime information sharing is what the region needs.

How can coastal states guarantee safe and secure sea lines in the Indo Pacific? 

The sea is a dangerous place that you cannot face alone. Cooperation is a necessity for user states. There are many examples of this. The establishment of co-ordinated patrols in the Malacca Strait in South East Asia, the development of the Djibouti Code of Conduct in the Indian Ocean or the decision to establish a regional fusion centre, the Pacific Fusion Centre in Vanuatu in the South Pacific.

With these initiatives, coastal states not only help to develop a maritime safety regime but also participate in the creation of a maritime community.

How can IORIS and SHARE.IT support national and regional cooperation? 

IORIS is a maritime information exchange and coordination platform, SHARE.IT  is a technical framework to facilitate the flow of information between fusion centres and information sharing centres. I think these are concepts easy to understand, fairly transparent and easy to implement concepts.
These characteristics make them suitable vehicles for developing maritime cooperation at both national and regional levels.

Marianne is associated Research Fellow at the French Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS, Paris). Her research interests include Indo Pacific geopolitical issues with a specific expertise on security and defense policies in Northeast Asia (Japan-Korean Peninsula), maritime security topics. She also teaches classes in Maritime Security at Sciences-po Paris and the Lille Catholic University.  

She is Political Advisor for the EU maritime project CRIMARIO since 2015. 

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Students from the above-mentioned maritime agencies, who had completed two weeks intensive training on IORIS training platform, took part in the exercise, which involved the European Union Naval Force Operation ATALANTA, operating in the Gulf of Aden.

The TTX, organised by CRIMARIO II, was based on current maritime security threats in the region. It demonstrated how the agencies reacted to a simulated live incident when EUNAVFOR, which was operating in International Waters, conveyed information, using the IORIS platform, that a suspect Dhow was entering Somali Territorial Waters (TTW) in Puntland. 

The detailed scenario involved all the agencies which had to link real time exercise feeds that challenged the need for wider Horn of Africa coordination, effecting Djibouti and Yemen that ensued relevant information which was shared and actioned. 

Somali Maritime authorities were asked to prepare options for request for EUNAVFOR to enter Somali TTW. 

The exercise was concluded with the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) deploying its own patrol vessels to intercept the Dhow and detained the crew as the vessel contained illegal weapons.  EUNAVFOR remaining in International Waters simulated the detention of a second Dhow which also contained a concealed illegal weapons cargo. 

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