Protective Services News

Helicopters hover above a patrol vessel in Nigeria's frenetic Apapa port as attack boats zoom past. On the dock, drones emblazoned with the Nigerian flag sit ready to deploy – all part of a $195 million U.S.-backed "Deep Blue" initiative to deter pirate attacks in the world's most dangerous area for seafarers.The more than 2.35 million square kilometer (910,000 million square mile) expanse of the Atlantic Ocean that borders some 20 West African nations is known as "pirate alley"…

Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. (Nasdaq: SINO), an international provider of shipping agency services, today announced its selected financial results for fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. Revenues decreased by 48.85% to US$17.3 million, from US$33.9 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Gross margin increased to 11.13% in the current fiscal year compared to 7.96% in the prior fiscal year. Total general and administrative expenses were reduced by $1.36 million during the year, representing a decrease of 25.93% compared to the last fiscal year. Net loss was US$2.58 million compared to net loss of US$2.81 million in fiscal 2012. Basic and diluted losses per share were US$0.38 and US$0.61 for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.

Non-state company, Sino-Global, announces major decline in third quarter 2013 financial results, raises cash by share issue. Sino-Global is a non-state-owned provider of shipping agency services operating primarily in China. Total revenues decreased 74.32% to US$2.34 million, from US$9.11 million in the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013. The devaluation of the US dollar against the Chinese Renminbi ("RMB") resulted in a very slight impact on gross margin, which expanded in the quarter to 14.76% up from 5.22% in the third fiscal quarter of 2012, due to providing more protective services, which carry higher margins. Strong internal budget controls reduced general and administrative expenses in absolute amount by 53%.

From ferrying company directors by taxi in and out of Hereford, to greeting others enthusiastically in the specially prepared car park, maritime security specialist, Ambrey Risk’s Open Day was a meticulously planned affair that brought over forty invited guests together in the middle of the Herefordshire countryside on probably the driest day of the year. The event at Ambreys’ Operations and Training Centre was intended to promote transparency and openness and was a unique opportunity to look at the operations of a private maritime security company.

China mainland shipping agency provider Sino-Global announce increased revenue in fiscal year 2012 results. Sino-Global Shipping America, Ltd. a leading, non-state-owned provider of shipping agency services operating primarily in China, report that Fiscal 2012 was a difficult year for the Company as the economic slowdown in China had a significant impact on the volume of iron ore imported into China and, consequently, on the Company's results. By aggressive marketing activities that resulted in new customers that load iron ore in overseas ports, Sino-Global was able to manage a small increase in revenues. The number of ships served increased from 421 in fiscal 2011 to 477 in fiscal 2012.

There is a new focus on technological solutions for ship self-defense against pirate attacks. Although some systems have been around a bit longer, the surge in new products is attributable largely to the dramatic increase in attacks on ships by Somali pirates over the last few years, the expanding areas of their attacks, and the worldwide attention these attacks have garnered. Suppliers have rushed to adapt existing products and develop new ones for the counter-piracy mission.

1917- An Executive Order extended the jurisdiction of the Lighthouse Service to the non-contiguous territory of the American Virgin Islands. 1942-The Herald-Tribune of July 20, 1942, carried the following story: "A new Coast Guard regiment, made up of tough, hand-picked men, all heavily armed and with the headquarters company mounting machine guns in speedy jeep cars, has been organized for extra protection of the Port of New York, it was announced yesterday. Regimental offices of the commando-like outfit, led by Captain Francis V. Lowden, will be in the Barge Office at the Battery. There will be five battalion headquarters -- one each in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and New Jersey, and a floating one set up a harbor patrol craft.

Maritime Protective Services announced the recertification for another five years of their training courses in the United Kingdom. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has again, reapproved their Ship Security Officer(SSO) and Company Security Officer(CSO) training courses, while the reaccreditation of their Port Facility Security Officer(PFSO) training course has again, been reapproved from Transportation Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport. In the United States, Maritime Protective Services has offered certified maritime security courses since 2005, having won recertification from the US Maritime Administration and Coast Guard in 2007 and 2008.

In late January of 2009, HP Terra-Marine International, LLC, sister company of HollowPoint Protective Services, LLC, successfully established a firm agreement and licensing from the Yemen government. As a result, HP Terra-Marine International, LLC, is now operating from several strategic Yemeni ports along the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. These bases in Yemen allow the company to provide professional armed security personnel for onboard vessel security through the east-west route in the Gulf of Aden. HP Terra-Marine International, LLC, now provides transport by boat of security personnel to and from the client’s vessel offshore from the company’s ports of operation. (www.hollowpointprotection.com)

professionals. with the opening of the U.S. Convention Center in New York City. about their joint programming. Maine Maritime Academy, a U.S. education. comprehensive port, company, and ship security programs. agencies plan to offer security courses beginning in January 2004. owners on an international basis," said Dr. Academy's vice president of academic affairs. Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS). seafaring security more readily accessible. Castine, Maine, campus. world to clients of MPS. education unit.

In a bipartisan vote, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee amended the Homeland Security Agency proposal to protect the Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency from being absorbed into the proposed new agency. The bipartisan amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5005) was approved by a voice vote. - U.S. Rep. - U.S. Rep. “There is no doubt that after the events of September 11, the President must be given the resources to protect this country from all attacks, whether terrorist or otherwise,” Young said during the markup. “I want to make it clear that I do not object to the creation of a Department of Homeland Security. However, the bill as introduced raises many concerns which this Congress has a responsibility to address.

While visiting several hundred future Department of Homeland Security employees in Miami, Secretary Ridge highlighted the Department's strategic goals for building a nation where Americans are protected from the evil of terrorism. One of the top priorities is to integrate specific departmental functions to enhance efficiencies and create greater accountability in one seamless border service. To accomplish this, today President Bush submitted to Congress a modification to the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan which establishes the organizational framework for the Department's Border and Transportation Security mission.