Blab News
U.S., Canada, Mexico Sign Updated NAMSI Handbook in Norfolk to Bolster Maritime Security
In Norfolk, Virginia, leaders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico met on June 6, 2026, to advance the North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI). The meeting, which marked the initiative’s 18th anniversary, concluded with the formal signing of a revised NAMSI Handbook by the heads of delegation.
NAMSI, established in 2008, is a trilateral forum that brings together the U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH), the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area (LANTAREA), the Royal Canadian Navy Maritime Component Commander (MCC), and the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy (MARINA). Its purpose is to strengthen the mutual capacities of operational coordination and to increase the security and maritime protection of the North American region.
The updated handbook provides new standard operating procedures designed to improve the implementation of international provisions. It aims to strengthen the exchange of information that helps combat illicit acts against maritime navigation and to enhance the prevention and response to incidents that could threaten North American maritime security.
Rear Admiral Martin Muckian, Director of Maritime Operations for NAVNORTH and executive agent of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) for NAMSI, said the initiative’s evolution reflects the complex security challenges in the region. “Marking almost two decades of the North American Maritime Security Initiative, the signing of this revised handbook represents our continued dedication to adapting our tactics and strengthening our bonds,” he said.
Rear Admiral Jay Vann, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, highlighted the Coast Guard’s role in merging security and defense operations with maritime law enforcement. “By integrating our maritime governance capabilities with the defense posture of the U.S. Navy and our Canadian and Mexican partners, we create a seamless maritime shield,” he said.
Rear Admiral Josée Kurtz, commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic of the Royal Canadian Navy, emphasized interoperability. “Through NAMSI, the Royal Canadian Navy contributes to strengthening collective readiness and ensuring that our expertise delivers tangible results in operations and exercises at sea,” she said.
The meeting also addressed operationalizing the initiative, expanding joint training opportunities, and revising the security and defense strategy to counter transnational criminal organizations. Participants discussed how the revised handbook would support coordinated responses to emerging threats.
U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command is the maritime component of U.S. Northern Command. It is responsible for executing maritime homeland defense and security operations across its area of responsibility, ensuring access, deterring aggression, and defending U.S. and partner interests.
The revised handbook is expected to streamline information sharing and joint operational planning among the three navies. By codifying procedures, the initiative seeks to reduce delays in decision‑making and improve the effectiveness of combined maritime patrols, interdiction operations, and intelligence‑sharing exercises.
While the meeting focused on procedural updates, it also reaffirmed the long‑standing commitment of the three countries to shared maritime security. The initiative has previously supported exercises such as the 2023 North American Maritime Security Initiative Pacific Exercise, which involved U.S., Mexican, and Canadian forces.
The updated handbook will be incorporated into the standard operating procedures of each participating navy. Officials indicated that the next steps include integrating the new procedures into training curricula and conducting joint exercises to test their effectiveness.
The signing in Norfolk underscores the continued emphasis on a coordinated, multi‑agency approach to maritime security. The initiative’s leaders noted that the revised handbook will help the U.S., Canada, and Mexico maintain regional stability by deterring threats and protecting shared maritime interests.
The updated NAMSI Handbook will be distributed to all participating forces. No further public statements have been issued regarding specific operational plans or timelines for implementation.
The initiative remains a key element of the broader North American maritime security architecture, complementing other efforts such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and regional law‑enforcement cooperation.
As the three navies move forward, the revised handbook is expected to enhance interoperability, streamline joint operations, and strengthen the collective ability to counter transnational criminal activities that threaten maritime navigation and security across North America.
NAMSI, established in 2008, is a trilateral forum that brings together the U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH), the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area (LANTAREA), the Royal Canadian Navy Maritime Component Commander (MCC), and the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy (MARINA). Its purpose is to strengthen the mutual capacities of operational coordination and to increase the security and maritime protection of the North American region.
The updated handbook provides new standard operating procedures designed to improve the implementation of international provisions. It aims to strengthen the exchange of information that helps combat illicit acts against maritime navigation and to enhance the prevention and response to incidents that could threaten North American maritime security.
Rear Admiral Martin Muckian, Director of Maritime Operations for NAVNORTH and executive agent of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) for NAMSI, said the initiative’s evolution reflects the complex security challenges in the region. “Marking almost two decades of the North American Maritime Security Initiative, the signing of this revised handbook represents our continued dedication to adapting our tactics and strengthening our bonds,” he said.
Rear Admiral Jay Vann, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, highlighted the Coast Guard’s role in merging security and defense operations with maritime law enforcement. “By integrating our maritime governance capabilities with the defense posture of the U.S. Navy and our Canadian and Mexican partners, we create a seamless maritime shield,” he said.
Rear Admiral Josée Kurtz, commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic of the Royal Canadian Navy, emphasized interoperability. “Through NAMSI, the Royal Canadian Navy contributes to strengthening collective readiness and ensuring that our expertise delivers tangible results in operations and exercises at sea,” she said.
The meeting also addressed operationalizing the initiative, expanding joint training opportunities, and revising the security and defense strategy to counter transnational criminal organizations. Participants discussed how the revised handbook would support coordinated responses to emerging threats.
U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command is the maritime component of U.S. Northern Command. It is responsible for executing maritime homeland defense and security operations across its area of responsibility, ensuring access, deterring aggression, and defending U.S. and partner interests.
The revised handbook is expected to streamline information sharing and joint operational planning among the three navies. By codifying procedures, the initiative seeks to reduce delays in decision‑making and improve the effectiveness of combined maritime patrols, interdiction operations, and intelligence‑sharing exercises.
While the meeting focused on procedural updates, it also reaffirmed the long‑standing commitment of the three countries to shared maritime security. The initiative has previously supported exercises such as the 2023 North American Maritime Security Initiative Pacific Exercise, which involved U.S., Mexican, and Canadian forces.
The updated handbook will be incorporated into the standard operating procedures of each participating navy. Officials indicated that the next steps include integrating the new procedures into training curricula and conducting joint exercises to test their effectiveness.
The signing in Norfolk underscores the continued emphasis on a coordinated, multi‑agency approach to maritime security. The initiative’s leaders noted that the revised handbook will help the U.S., Canada, and Mexico maintain regional stability by deterring threats and protecting shared maritime interests.
The updated NAMSI Handbook will be distributed to all participating forces. No further public statements have been issued regarding specific operational plans or timelines for implementation.
The initiative remains a key element of the broader North American maritime security architecture, complementing other efforts such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and regional law‑enforcement cooperation.
As the three navies move forward, the revised handbook is expected to enhance interoperability, streamline joint operations, and strengthen the collective ability to counter transnational criminal activities that threaten maritime navigation and security across North America.
