Maritime Security Services News

Law firm Cozen O’Connor announced it has promoted 11 members to shareholder including Marine News contributor Jeff Vogel.Vogel focuses his practice on strategic and operational matters affecting the U.S. maritime industry and on government contracts across all industries. In the maritime space, he represents ocean carriers and maritime stakeholders in regulatory and financial matters before government regulatory bodies. In his government contracts practice, he represents clients in the aviation…

A new information paper from the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) provides guidance on hiring private maritime security companies (PMSCs). The use of PMSCs onboard merchant ships is widely accepted as one of the measures which can assist in keeping seafarers safe from harm and protecting vessels operating in areas of increased threat.While industry best management practice does not recommend or endorse the employment of PMSCs, the use of experienced and competent PMSCs either onboard the vessels…

DG Risk Group announced Monday it has acquired armed maritime security company Protection Vessels International, along with its trading division Halcyon Yacht Security. The acquisition was completed in 2020.UK-based Protection Vessels International (PVI) specializes in armed maritime security solutions for commercial and governmental agencies. Most recently PVI, in unison with DG Risk Group, supported and partnered with several navies in the Gulf of Guinea in support of two major…

Following a testing and evaluation program, Singapore-based Penguin International Ltd. has selected SCHOTTEL’s Tunnel Thruster STT 51 FP for its flagship Flex-42X series of eight executive fast crew boats. Penguin is a designer, builder, owner and operator of high-speed crafts as well as a prolific builder of mid-sized crew boats and armored security boats for sales and charter. With a 95 kW electric motor controlled by a variable frequency drive, the STT will be installed in…

The National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA), and its subsidiary International Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (IMLEA), announced a teaming agreement with AMES Maritime Security (AMES) of Kingston, Georgetown (Guyana) to provide international level maritime safety and security services. The cadre of professionals from within both organizations are recognized for their military, maritime, and security skills and competence, and their ability to provide training, exercise, education, assessment, consultation, and other services.

Nigerian-based Homeland Integrated Offshore Services has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for another Damen 3307 Patrol Vessel. The vessel marks another collaboration between the companies, who have been in cooperation since Damen delivered Homeland’s first 3307 Patrol Vessel in 2014.The vessel named, Guardian 6, will join its sister vessels in the Gulf of Guinea providing security services to oil majors operating in the region. It will perform roles such as deterring and intervening in piracy attacks, as well as crew transfers and equipment deliveries.

A Damen 3307 Patrol Vessel has been delivered to Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Ltd of Lagos, Nigeria, taking its fleet of these craft up to three, with a fourth currently under construction. Guardian 3 along with its sister ships Guardian 1 and Guardian 2 is now providing security and other support services to the international offshore oil companies active off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy. The Guardian series of 3307 Patrol vessels are themselves unarmed…

Security consultancy Eos Risk Management has been certified by The Republic of Cyprus for the provision of security services for vessels registered with its flag administration. The Cypriot Ministry of Transport Communications and Work awarded certified status to Eos Risk Management Limited as an approved Private Ship Security Company on December 4, 2015, via the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS), (Against Acts of Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts Law (2012) – (Law 77(i) of 2012). The Cypriot Register is the 10th largest merchant fleet in the world and an important voice within merchant marine, with many leading shipping companies maintaining Cypriot offices.

McRoberts Maritime Security announced that it has contracted Access Cruise, Inc., for strategic sales support to the cruise industry. "As the cruise industry moves to another phase in its evolution, Access Cruise Inc.'s principal, Shannon McKee, a cruise industry veteran with wide contacts, will serve as a partner to McRoberts as McRoberts seeks to redefine its offerings in response to shifting priorities yet maintain its commitment to quality and maximum value creation for its clients," said Meredith McRoberts, president of McRoberts Maritime Security. "The consistent quality that McRoberts delivers is an integral part of the overall delivery of the cruise guest experience," said Ms. McKee of Access Cruise, Inc.

Private maritime security services provider, Protection Vessels International (PVI), part of Protection Group International, informs that it has achieved ISO/PAS 28007 certification from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). PVI was one of the first private maritime security companies (PMSCs) to participate in the ISO/PAS 28007 pilot scheme which aims to set the benchmark for PMSCs who want to demonstrate to the international community that they, and the operatives they supply, are of the right quality to legally, safely and effectively guard commercial shipping on the high seas.

Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) Aspida Maritime Security said it has opened a new office in Copenhagen, adding to its locatons in London, Athens and Seoul. “Our presence in Denmark will improve the quality of service offered to our current Danish customers and ultimately serve better the entire Scandinavian region,” said Panos G. Moraitis, President and CEO of Aspida. With partners in more than 30 countries, Aspida is driven by 120 employees worldwide. Specialized European military personnel provides for an excellent record of over 1…

Global maritime security services provider the AdvanFort Company today praised new accreditation criteria for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) working on German-flagged vessels that raise required standards but are also professionally flexible. "Key to this process is that the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) does not require a set of documents that is formally 'carved in stone,'” said AdvanFort Vice President for Sales and Business Development Axel Tuetken.

The AdvanFort Company has opened an office in Hamburg, Germany, as part of its growing worldwide customer service network, particularly for clients in Europe. “AdvanFort has made a substantial investment in the future of our clients in Germany and the rest of Northern Europe by inaugurating our office in Hamburg, the maritime crossroad in that region, thus ensuring that we are closer to our customers,” said company President William H. Watson. Axel Tuetken underlined the fact…

GAC said it will play tribute to the unsung heroes of the global shipping community as part of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Day of the Seafarer. The global shipping, logistics and marine services provider is joining shipping and supply chain companies, as well as individual supporters, as they unite to express their gratitude for the commitment and dedication of seafarers worldwide. Since 2011, IMO has officially celebrated the international Day of the Seafarer on June 25. This year, the day is dedicated to the “Faces of the Sea” in recognition of the sacrifices that seafarers make to perform their duties, often away from their families and in demanding environments for months on end.

Tundra International announced it has entered an exclusive partnership with Mr. David Hammond, Barrister of 9 Bedford Row International Chambers to identify and develop new technology based training methods to test personnel on their knowledge and application of the Rules for the Use of Force and the '100 Series Rules' as it applies to the maritime security environment. The 100 Series Rules, created by David Hammond, a U.K. Counsel and barrister-at-law who heads up the maritime practice at the International division of 9 Bedford Row Chambers, are intended to be a model set and example of best practice for maritime Rules for the Use of Force…

To thwart escalating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, Sea Marshalls gets license to use Cape Verde as base for ship security operations. The Government of Cape Verde earlier granted a licence to Cape Verde Maritime Security Services (CVMSS) allowing it exclusive rights to vet Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) who want to use the island as a base for embarking and disembarking armed security teams. Sea Marshalls is the first company to obtain its approval. On behalf of the Cape Verde Government, CVMSS will undertake checks to ensure PMSCs comply with agreed minimum standards in accordance with both local and international laws and regulations. These standards will include training, support and insurance levels.

In a move designed to thwart the escalating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the Government of Cape Verde has granted a licence to Cape Verde Maritime Security Services (CVMSS) allowing the company exclusive rights to vet Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) who want to use the island as a base for embarking and disembarking armed security teams. And UK-headquartered SeaMarshals Ltd is the first company to be granted a permit to use Cape Verde as its base for security operations in the West Africa region. On behalf of the Cape Verde Government, CVMSS will undertake checks to ensure PMSCs comply with agreed minimum standards in accordance with both local and international laws and regulations. These standards will include training, support and insurance levels.

Maritime security services provider, Solace Global Maritime Ltd, has been awarded the ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for its success in implementing an effective environmental policy throughout the company. The internationally accepted standard awarded by ISOQAR provides a set of strict criteria for putting in place a successful Environmental Management System that helps to reduce a company’s impact on the environment. Solace recognises that collectively, organisations within the…

A special high-level segment of the MSC saw an intense debate, over the first day and a half of the Committee’s session, on how the international community should deal with issues related to the deployment of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships and the carriage of arms on board. Following further debate during a working group, the MSC agreed Interim Guidance to private maritime security companies (PMSC) providing contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area. • Deployment considerations, addressing the specific aspects of PCASP deployment and the role of the PMSC in ensuring efficient and successful deployments…

Massachusetts Maritime Academy unveils new simulation facilities in newly opened American Bureau of Shipping Information Commons Building. Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) recently hosted the grand opening ceremony for the start-of-the-art, American Bureau of Shipping Information Commons Building, which houses the Academy’s new cutting-edge Full Mission Ship Simulator, supplied by Transas USA Inc. The 42,000 square foot academic building combines maritime tradition with the latest technology in maritime training…

Oxberry Risk Maritime continues to expand its maritime security and anti-piracy services. Oxberry Risk Maritime believes that identification and management of risk is a vital aspect of modern maritime business. Dynamic growth in an ever expanding market requires dynamic solutions to meet and exceed expectations. Oxberry Risk Maritime is responding to the demands of maritime and shipping sector organisations through the delivery of comprehensive maritime security and anti-piracy…

Gray Page, a maritime intelligence, investigation and crisis management company, advised that the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee’s (MSC) recently-approved interim guidance on the employment of privately-contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) to combat piracy underlines the requirement for independent vetting of private armed maritime security providers (AMSP). The MSC guidance, issued in May, incorporates recommendations for flag States confirming that it is the responsibility of individual flag States to ordain the carriage of security personnel and their firearms onboard ships sailing under their flags. Further interim guidance for shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters, seeks to address the difficulties faced in selecting an appropriate provider of armed security services.

This article is intended to help inform the debate on the use of arms, in particular, armed Sea Marshals, in the protection of vessels conducting commercial business. At the outset AKE acknowledges an interest through its support to GAC Solutions in the provision of maritime security services and support to maritime clients. This paper provides objective analysis of the situation confronting the maritime industry in respect of piracy, its growing effect on business, and the arming of ships.