Author: Cam fl Dr. Learschi Sorin, Maritime Security Forum
The Black Sea is one of the most critical regions for the security of the European Union, due to its strategic, economic, and military importance. This area is not only a sensitive eastern border, but also a hub for energy security, trade routes, and food supply. The critical infrastructure in the region, including submarine cables, gas pipelines, and offshore facilities, ensures the energy supply of member states, and any disruption would have immediate and significant effects on the European economy. At the same time, the Black Sea is a major maritime artery for trade flows between the European Union and Asia, and any disruption to commercial shipping can affect both trade and regional economic stability.
The current regional context highlights the vulnerabilities of this area. Hybrid and military conflicts, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, have created major risks to the security of the Black Sea, including sabotage of critical infrastructure, illegal trafficking, cyber attacks on maritime systems, and the proliferation of sea mines or incidents that endanger the safety of navigation. These challenges highlight the need for an integrated and permanent European maritime security instrument capable of anticipating, monitoring, and responding quickly and effectively to any emerging threat.
Hub and/or Center – understanding the differences
As always, it is important to have a consensual understanding of the terms used.
In contemporary language, the terms hub and center are often used interchangeably, but there are important nuances between them that relate to their origin, meaning, and functionality. and we need to understand very clearly what is expected of Romania.
The word “hub” comes from English and has been adopted into Romanian, especially in modern fields such as technology, transportation, and business. Unlike the Romanian term “center,” “hub” suggests the idea of connection and network.
A hub is essentially a point of convergence or a place of connection between multiple flows, networks, or elements. Its main function is not just to be “central,” but to facilitate interaction, transfer, or connection between multiple components.
The basic idea is that the hub is a central point of connection or interaction, designed to link several elements together. The emphasis is on flows and networks, not just location.
The term “center” has classical Romanian roots and has been used for centuries to designate the main place of an activity or function.
Center means a central or main place, without automatically implying the idea of connection or multiple flows. The center can be spatial, cultural, administrative, or economic, but its role is to be the nucleus of an activity.
The basic idea is that the Center is a main place for an activity or function, without necessarily being a point of interconnection between multiple flows or networks. The emphasis is on centrality and function, not on multiple connections.
The key difference between “Hub” and “Center”
· Hub → emphasis on connection and network (flows, links, interaction between elements).
· Center → emphasis on centrality and function (main place, core of an activity).
We must remember that: “All hubs are centers, but not all centers are hubs.” And “Hub” = connection point, and “Center” = main point
The particular case of Romania
The creation of the European Maritime Security Hub on the Black Sea in Romania — an initiative supported by the European Commission — is a complex strategic project involving several political, administrative, technological, and international cooperation stages. We are trying to analyze what needs to be done in concrete terms for Romania to be able to launch and host this center. And there are many, and they are not simple.
Romania is naturally the optimal location for the European Maritime Security Hub. As a member state of the European Union and NATO, Romania offers a credible framework for coordination between Euro-Atlantic structures and coastal states. Its operational experience in the Black Sea, combined with its existing infrastructure—including the Port of Constanța, naval and maritime forces, and advanced monitoring systems such as SCOMAR, radars, and AIS networks—ensures its ability to carry out complex security and surveillance operations.
Furthermore, Romania’s geostrategic position places it at the crossroads between the European Union, NATO, and regional partners, facilitating interoperability, rapid information exchange, and real-time coordination of operations. This combination of operational experience, existing infrastructure, and strategic positioning gives Romania the credibility and capacity to host a European maritime security hub, transforming the Black Sea into a stable, secure, and predictable area, protecting the economic, energy, and strategic interests of the European Union and strengthening Romania’s role as a central player in the European security architecture.
Obtaining the agreement and commitment of the European Union member states is an essential step in realizing the initiative to create the European Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea. This initiative cannot be implemented solely on the basis of the support of the European Commission, which has a political and technical support role, but requires a clear consensus from Member States, in particular those bordering the Black Sea, such as Romania and Bulgaria, and possibly other interested states. In this regard, formal negotiations between the riparian states are necessary in order to jointly define strategic objectives and interests. These consultations should lead to an agreement on the role, structure, powers, and legal status of the hub so that it can function effectively and in accordance with existing European policies. Subsequently, in order to ensure political legitimacy and long-term sustainability, the initiative could be included in future decisions of the Council of the European Union, which would strengthen the commitment of Member States and facilitate access to EU funding and coordination mechanisms.
The development of a concrete project at national level is an essential condition for advancing the initiative to create the European Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea. In this regard, the Romanian authorities, through the coordinated involvement of ministries and institutions with responsibilities in the field of security, defense, and European affairs, must present a detailed and coherent plan that goes beyond declarations of intent and, above all, is consistent with Romania’s future Maritime Security Strategy.
This project must clearly define the hub’s mission and areas of competence, as well as its governance structure, coordination mechanisms, the roles of the institutions involved, and the contributions of each actor. It is also necessary to establish a realistic financing plan, including the estimated budget, national and European sources of funding, and forms of support from the European Union. The project must provide for a phased operational timetable, from the preparation phase to the full operationalization of the hub.
At the same time, the proposed location in Romania must be explicitly indicated, with clear arguments, Constanța being a relevant example, given its geostrategic importance and proximity to the main critical maritime points. The European Commission has explicitly stressed the need for the authorities in Bucharest to present such a concrete and well-founded project as a prerequisite for supporting and promoting the initiative at European level.
Alignment with EU security strategies and mechanisms
The European Maritime Security Hub must be fully interoperable with existing European systems and infrastructures to ensure effective coordination and rapid exchange of information between Member States. To this end, the hub will integrate platforms such as CISE – the Common Information Sharing Environment, which enables the secure sharing of maritime information at European level, as well as data provided by Copernicus space services, which are essential for monitoring and surveillance of maritime areas. In addition, the hub will collaborate with European security agencies and other relevant institutions to support the analysis of and response to incidents or threats. Implementing this interoperability requires the use of advanced technology, secure communications infrastructure, and the establishment of effective frameworks for cross-border collaboration to ensure both the protection of sensitive data and the optimal functioning of the hub in the European context.
The European Maritime Security Hub is not just a simple administrative headquarters, but is designed as an integrated and multidimensional system for the surveillance and control of the Black Sea, aimed at providing a comprehensive, continuous, and predictive operational capability. The concept is based on the idea that modern maritime security cannot be ensured by physical presence alone, but requires a sophisticated technological ecosystem covering all levels of monitoring “from space to the seabed.” This involves the implementation and operation of a complex network of advanced sensors and equipment, including high-precision radars for water surface surveillance, AIS systems for monitoring civil and military naval traffic, real-time high-resolution satellite imagery, maritime and aerial drones, as well as underwater sensors capable of detecting any suspicious underwater object, mine, or activity.
In addition to these capabilities, the hub must have military-grade secure communications infrastructure capable of simultaneously handling civilian, commercial, and classified information, with encryption and redundancy protocols to ensure operational continuity even in scenarios of cyberattack or external interference. Furthermore, the integration of existing national infrastructures, such as SCOMAR, with European surveillance and intelligence systems will enable not only rapid information exchange, but also joint analysis, real-time coordination, and immediate response to any emerging threat.
Essentially, the hub will function as a strategic European security node, a point of convergence between state-of-the-art technology, operational expertise, and transnational cooperation, capable of anticipating, detecting, and neutralizing maritime threats before they become critical. This infrastructure will not only enhance the security of Romania and the riparian states, but will also transform the Black Sea into a protected, predictable, and safe area for commercial, energy, and military traffic, strengthening the European Union’s strategic position in the region.
Regional cooperation and the establishment of solid strategic alliances are the backbone of the success of the European Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea. Romania, as the host country, will have to act as a central coordinator, orchestrating a regional cooperation mechanism involving not only coastal states such as Bulgaria, Georgia, and other interested countries, but also European Union institutions and its specialized agencies, in order to clearly define the hub’s role, mandate, and responsibilities within the European security architecture.
At the same time, integration with NATO structures is essential to ensure full operational interoperability in crisis scenarios, allowing the hub to operate in sync with allied forces and to rapidly support strategic decisions at regional and European level. This involves creating common protocols for responding to hybrid, cyber, terrorist, or military threats, conducting joint exercises, and standardizing command and control procedures so that any maritime incident or crisis can be managed efficiently, in a coordinated and predictable manner.
Cooperation is not only an operational obligation, but also a factor of strategic credibility: a hub that operates in isolation, without regional support and solid alliances, risks being perceived as ineffective or symbolic. Instead, by building trusted partnerships, continuously exchanging information, and integrated planning, Romania can strengthen its role as a regional leader, transforming the Black Sea into a protected, stable, and predictable area. At the same time, the European Union strengthens its strategic presence, demonstrating its ability to coordinate collective security, prevent the escalation of conflicts, and protect critical economic and energy interests.
Thus, regional cooperation and strategic alliances are not only an operational element, but also a geopolitical instrument of power and stability, through which Romania becomes the pivot of European maritime security and contributes directly to strengthening the EU’s strategic position in the face of emerging threats in the Black Sea.
Ensuring a solid and sustainable financial framework is an absolute condition for transforming the European Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea from a theoretical initiative into a real operational instrument capable of protecting the strategic interests of Romania, the riparian states, and the European Union. Financial planning should not be just a formality, but a strategic element, integrated with operational objectives and the overall European maritime security architecture. Without secure financial resources, the hub cannot function, the technological infrastructure cannot be acquired and maintained, specialized personnel cannot be trained and retained, and joint operations cannot be carried out effectively.
In this context, European Union funds are a central source of financing, which can be mobilized both through the EU’s multiannual budget and through dedicated security and defense programs, such as SAFE, but also through other European mechanisms that support regional cooperation and the strengthening of maritime surveillance and protection capabilities. At the same time, the financial contributions of the Member States involved, especially those bordering the Black Sea, must be real, consistent, and proportional to the benefits and responsibilities assumed, demonstrating a firm political and operational commitment and enhancing the credibility of the initiative at European level.
In the long term, sustainability can be enhanced through public-private partnerships that leverage the technological and logistical know-how of the private sector, ensure continuous innovation, and reduce pressure on national and European budgets. Such partnerships may include providers of surveillance technologies, secure communications systems, maritime and aerial drones, artificial intelligence systems for data analysis, and cyber protection infrastructure.
The financial plan must be designed to ensure operational continuity, regardless of crisis scenarios or regional tensions. The resources allocated must cover not only the construction and installation of the infrastructure, but also maintenance, constant technological modernisation, staff training and the conduct of joint exercises and operations with coastal states, NATO and the EU. In this way, the hub becomes not just a symbolic structure, but a sustainable strategic tool capable of transforming the Black Sea into a safe, controlled, and predictable area, protecting the economic, energy, and security interests of the European Union and positioning Romania as a central player in the regional maritime security architecture.
An essential pillar for the efficient and credible functioning of the European Maritime Security Hub is the legislative framework, information security, and specialized human resources. The implementation of the hub cannot be achieved without a solid legal and operational framework that ensures the protection of sensitive data, the security of communications, and the standardization of procedures, both at the national and European levels. In this regard, it is necessary to develop and adopt clear regulations on information classification and data protection so that the exchange of information between Member States and European institutions takes place under conditions of maximum security, while complying with international legal norms and EU standards.
At the same time, cybersecurity management must be integrated as a priority by developing protocols and infrastructures that are resistant to cyberattacks, external intrusions, or sabotage, both for hub systems and for networks and equipment that are interoperable with European structures. At the same time, it is necessary to define common operational standards, including coordination procedures between riparian states, crisis response protocols, incident management, and the integration of data from various civil and military sources.
An equally critical component is specialized human resources. The hub will require a multidisciplinary professional corps, consisting of experts in maritime security, advanced technology, data analysis, intelligence, and cybersecurity. These experts must not only be recruited, but also continuously trained through national and European training programs, including joint exercises and simulated scenarios, so that they can respond quickly and effectively to any crisis or complex incident.
By combining these three elements—robust legislation, cybersecurity and clear operational standards, and highly skilled personnel—the hub will not only be an administrative structure, but a strategic operational tool, capable of functioning as a European security hub. This human and legal infrastructure will guarantee the credibility, efficiency, and sustainability of the hub, strengthening Romania’s role as a host state and a factor of stability in the Black Sea.
Conclusions
In order for Romania to be able to create and host the European Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea (HESM-MN), a coordinated, complex, and strategic effort is needed, integrating all dimensions of security policy, technology, legislation, and international cooperation. This endeavor is not just an operational project, but an essential element of the European security architecture, capable of strengthening regional stability and positioning Romania as a central actor in guaranteeing the security of the Black Sea and the strategic interests of the European Union.
The implementation of HESM-MN requires the completion of several fundamental components.
For the success of the European Maritime Security Hub in the Black Sea (HESM-MN), it is absolutely essential that Romania obtain a clear and firm political consensus from the Black Sea coastal Member States, including Bulgaria and, where appropriate, other interested states. This consensus must be formalized through negotiations and agreements that explicitly define the role, powers, and responsibilities of the hub, thus ensuring European and regional political legitimacy.
The Romanian authorities must develop a detailed national project and a coherent implementation plan that goes beyond declarations of intent and offers concrete solutions for infrastructure, personnel, logistics, and interoperability. The project must include the hub’s mission, its areas of competence, governance structure, operational timetable, and exact location in Romania, preferably Constanța, due to its geostrategic importance and proximity to key maritime hotspots.
The hub must be fully aligned and interoperable with European structures and standards, integrating systems and platforms such as CISE – Common Information Sharing Environment, Copernicus space services, and European security agencies, so that information exchange is secure, cross-border coordination is effective, and the ability to respond quickly to incidents or emerging threats is guaranteed.
In terms of technological and communications infrastructure, HESM-MN will function as an integrated “space-to-sea” surveillance system, including high-precision radars, AIS systems, maritime and aerial drones, underwater sensors, and secure communications networks for the simultaneous management of civil, commercial, and classified information. The integration of existing national infrastructures, such as SCOMAR, with European systems is essential for the hub to function as a strategic European security node.
Romania must develop and strengthen regional cooperation and strategic alliances, building solid partnerships with coastal states to carry out joint operations, integrating the hub into EU mechanisms, and ensuring interoperability with NATO structures in crisis scenarios. This cooperation enhances not only operational efficiency, but also the strategic credibility and political legitimacy of the hub at regional and European level.
A critical element is clear and sustainable funding, through a plan that includes European funds, proportional contributions from member states, and public-private partnerships. Resources must cover the construction, modernization, and maintenance of technological infrastructure, the training and retention of specialized personnel, and the conduct of joint operations and exercises. Without a solid financial framework, the hub cannot function as a sustainable strategic tool.
Finally, HESM-MN requires specialized legislative frameworks and human resources, including national and European regulations for data protection, information classification, cybersecurity, and common operational standards. A multidisciplinary professional body is needed, made up of experts in maritime security, advanced technology, data analysis, and intelligence, who are continuously trained to respond effectively in any crisis scenario. By integrating these dimensions, the hub becomes a strategic operational tool, capable of strengthening Black Sea security and positioning Romania as a central and credible player in the European security architecture.
By integrating all these dimensions—political, technological, legislative, financial, and operational—the European Maritime Security Hub will represent a strategic instrument of European security, a catalyst for regional stability, and a vector of influence for Romania within the European Union. Its implementation will strengthen Black Sea security, protect critical trade and energy routes, and position Romania as a central, predictable, and credible actor in the European security architecture, capable of anticipating and managing the complex threats of the 21st century.
MARITIME SECURITY FORUM