Goagt News

Almost 50% of the shipping companies who took part in a maritime security survey carried out by GoAGT would only employ ISO/PAS 28007 certified companies. The leading maritime security company, which achieved this certification earlier in March and received the certificate at a ceremony recently, surveyed its clients about the value of professional standards such as the forthcoming ISO/PAS 28007 in the decision to use a private maritime security company (PMSC). Results indicated…

There is very little piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, but criminal gangs are operating widely. Most attacks in West African waters are part of a long running criminal program of cargo theft or kidnapping and ransom inside territorial waters, and not piracy said maritime security company GoAGT. Nick Davis, CEO of GoAGT said, “The growing problem in West Africa is criminality and it is very well organized. Criminal gangs board ships, take them over, and then move them to a safe area where the cargo can be stolen. Recently the MT Kerala disappeared, its cargo was stolen and then it reappeared.

International Maritime Bureau reported that piracy is at a six year low, but maritime security company GoAGT said now it is not the time to lose focus on security, especially with a serious attack on two ships occurring just a month ago. Nick Davis, CEO of the company, said, “While the report should be welcomed, this is certainly not the time to consign Somali piracy to history. Too many factors that encouraged its initial development remain in place. He added, “Just over a month ago two ships were attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Nick Davis said that until the Somali Government had proper security and governance in place it was imperative that ships transiting the area had armed security teams on board because history would repeat itself.

In response to the ongoing threat of piracy in shipping, France and Japan are allowing armed guards on their ships, said U.K. maritime security company GoAGT. Gerry Northwood OBE, Chief Operating Officer for the company, said, “Countries that have not adopted these procedures yet should do so if the world’s shipping routes are to remain safe. The introduction of a change in law regarding armed guards on Japanese registered oil tankers must be seen as a reminder that piracy in…

The attack on a U.S.-flagged platform supply vessel C-Retriever by pirates off Nigeria’s coast, which resulted in two U.S. citizens being kidnapped, could have been completely avoided, maritime security firm GoAGT said. Nick Davis, CEO of GoAGT, said, “The Edison Chouest-owned supply vessel was navigating a short distance off Brass, in Nigeria, on Wednesday 23rd when it was attacked. This is a recognized high risk area. "All vessels trading or supporting operations in this area should have a citadel and a highly trained reactive crew," he added. “This attack resulted in the Captain and Chief Engineer being kidnapped. And in a separate incident this week…

Heightened security should be implemented now on all merchant ships transiting the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, UK Maritime security company GoAGT advises shipmasters. The warning comes after reports that the "Cosco Asia", a Panamanian registered ship, was attacked on Saturday while transiting the Canal. Egyptian officials say they foiled the attack, which was aimed at disrupting shipping in the Canal. He added: “An unarmed security adviser should be considered for all vessels transiting the Mediterranean prior to embarking armed guards in high risk areas. They can assist crews in identifying potential threats and are able to assist the Masters and their crews communicating and gathering intelligence.

Maritime security company GoAGT Ltd. achieved Det Norske Veritas (DNV) accreditation for its Maritime Training Center located in Galle, Sri-Lanka. The center, one of the first to be accredited globally, can train up to 20 personnel at any one time in a variety of maritime security disciplines including Use of Force and Medical Training. GoAGT has been delivering in-house training at the centre to its deployed teams since 2010, maintaining its role as an innovative market leader. The GoAGT Training Center will be running its pilot MSO course later this month. The new level 3 City and Guilds qualification is set to become a core requirement for compliance with the new industry standard for armed maritime security provision, ISO/PAS 28007.

The Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping accredited Gulf of Aden Group Transits Ltd. (GoAGT) to provide armed guards onboard Cyprus flagged vessels. The accreditation was gained in only three months following initial submission, less than half the normal time estimated to achieve this. There are currently only 18 Private Maritime Security Companies approved by the Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping to service the Cypriot market. This follows accreditation by Panama, and GoAGT remains committed to achieving ISO28007 international maritime security accreditation. www.goagt.org

Gulf of Aden Group Transits (GoAGT) is a new, non-profit industry supported, 24 hour operations centre dedicated to supporting the merchant fleet operating or passing the Gulf of Aden. GoAGT recently announced that it is able to provide ship security teams to embark at either Aden or Dubai for passage to Mombasa or Durban in any direction. GoAGT’s three man security teams are made up mainly from ex UK Royal Marines and ex UK Royal Navy warfare specialists. Their role onboard is to secure the vessel for passage through the high risk area either north or southbound and maintain vigilance and crew morale. They also communicate with military agencies, passing intelligence and updating risk assessment en-route.