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Security Contractors News

02 Nov 2015

Arrests, Prosecutions – Positive Response to Piracy

Despite an overall global reduction in serious piracy attacks this year, the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) cautions against complacency in its 2015 report for the year to 30 September. In Southeast Asia, a piracy crackdown appears to be bearing fruit, with only two hijackings reported in the third quarter of the year. Indonesian and Malaysian authorities have also arrested and in some cases prosecuted, members of product tanker hijacking gangs, notably those behind the MT Sun Birdie and MT Orkim Harmony attacks. “The robust actions taken particularly by the Indonesian and Malaysian authorities – including the arrest of one the alleged masterminds – is precisely the type of deterrent required” commented P Mukundan, IMB Director.

07 May 2014

Cost Of Somali Piracy Slumps As Attacks Fall

The cost of Somali piracy to the global economy fell by almost half last year as attacks slumped, but piracy in West Africa was on the rise, an annual security report said on Wednesday. The Oceans beyond Piracy report put the total cost of Somali piracy - by far the largest single threat to international shipping in recent years - at only $3.2 billion in 2013. There were still at least 50 hostages in Somali captivity in desperate conditions, held on average for most three years each, the report said. Gauging the level of threats in the Gulf of Guinea was difficult because of incomplete reporting but it was clear that rising numbers of seafarers were being kidnapped, it said.

07 May 2014

Cost of Somali Piracy Slumps as Attacks Fall

MV Royal Grace following its release from Somali Pirates in March 2013. (Photo: EU Naval Force)

The cost of Somali piracy to the global economy fell by almost half last year as attacks slumped, but piracy in West Africa was on the rise, an annual security report said on Wednesday. The Oceans beyond Piracy report put the total cost of Somali piracy - by far the largest single threat to international shipping in recent years - at only $3.2 billion in 2013. There were still at least 50 hostages in Somali captivity in desperate conditions, held on average for most three years each, the report said.

20 Feb 2014

Two Found Dead on "Captain Philips" Ship

File Photo: Maersk Alabama

According to multiple published reports including Reuters, two U.S. security workers were found dead on the Maersk Alabama, a ship made famous by the Hollywood movie "Captain Phillips" in 2013. The two men apparently were found dead in a cabin on board the vessel in the afternoon of February 18 in Port of Victoria in the Seychelles. Both reportedly had beeen on board since 29 January. The Trident Group issued the following prepared statemwnt in the wake of the incident: "It is…

10 Dec 2013

Solace Global, Bournemouth & Poole Partner for Security Education

L-R: Matthew Butcher, Sales and Customer Account Manager, Bournemouth & Poole College and Mark Knowles, Training Director, Solace Global, outside of the training facilities at North Road.

Solace Global, provider of security in maritime, offshore and land-based environments, has partnered with Bournemouth & Poole College in Dorset to provide the first City & Guilds Maritime Security Operative course at a Further Education (FE) center. Following the appointment of Training Director Mark Knowles MSM in October this year, Solace Global established its own training cell dedicated to developing premium courses at reduced costs. Committed to offering the highest standard of security personnel…

22 Jul 2013

Shipping Registries and Piracy Response

Brad Berman, ship finance and registry lawyer,  Partner at Holland & Knight (H&K)

International shipping registries have continued to sharpen their aim taken at a longstanding maritime problem: What is the appropriate response to piracy? As attacks have shifted from Somalia to West Africa, the issue remains at top of mind. Armed guards have proven to be a successful deterrent against attacks. Ship finance and registry lawyer Brad Berman, a Partner at Holland & Knight (H&K), sums up a sea change in views over the past year in views about guns aboard ships, telling Maritime Reporter: “A few years ago most of the shipping industry was against having weapons aboard…

10 Apr 2013

Dryad Maritime Welcomes Japanese Plans

Dryad Maritime, a U.K. commercial maritime intelligence company, welcomed the Japanese government’s plans to submit a bill to the National Diet which will permit the carriage of armed guards on Japanese-flagged vessels but advise that a number of other precautions must also be taken. The Japan Times last week reported on Japanese government plans to submit a bill to the National Diet that would permit armed guards to operate on Japanese ships given the view that their presence on other vessels in waters off Somalia has led to a sharp fall in piracy. Current Japanese law prohibits Japan-registered ships from carrying armed private citizens. If this proposed legislation is approved Japanese ships will be permitted to employ private security contractors to provide armed guards.

22 Nov 2011

BIMCO to Draft Standard Security Contracts

With the increasing use of armed guards on ships and the fear that second-rate security firms may take advantage of the piracy situation, BIMCO is forging ahead with the development of a standard contract for the employment of armed guards. The new contract, which will be drafted by a team of experts of shipowners, lawyers and underwriters, and with the assistance of the International Group of P&I Clubs, will require private security firms offering armed guards to follow the IMO Guidelines for owners on the used privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships (MSC Circular 1405). Of major importance is ensuring that security…

19 Sep 2011

North P&I CLUB Hosts Sanctions, Drugs & Guns Seminar

Over 100 representatives from the German shipping community attended a seminar entitled ‘Sanctions, Drugs and Guns’ in Hamburg, Germany last week (15 September 2011), which was hosted by the ‘A’ rated 150 million GT North P&I club. Simon Williams, North’s associate director and joint regional head for Germany, told delegates that pirate attacks, political sanctions and drug trafficking were becoming critical issues for the global shipping industry and its insurers. ‘It is thus vital that we debate these issues as fully and openly as possible in the search for practical solutions,’ he said. The event at Le Royal Méridien hotel in Hamburg focused specifically on dealing with political sanctions…

22 Aug 2011

Launch of Best Management Practices 4

The fourth edition of the 'Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy' (BMP4) has been launched. Supported by all major shipping associations, the Best Management Practices provides invaluable information to help all shipping companies, ship's masters and crew to fully prepare their ship for transit through the High Risk Area, in order to avoid, deter or delay piracy attack. Now in its fourth edition, the handy-size booklet provides important updates and new information since the issue of BMP3 in 2010. Changes include a section on the three fundamental requirements of BMP 4, an aide memoire on how to avoid being a victim of piracy, a checklist for company planning and, expanded guidance on the possible use of Private Maritime Security Contractors.

26 Jan 2010

Castle Shipboard Security Program at University

The Castle Shipboard Security Program is now affiliated with Nova Southeastern University providing university certificates and continuing education units in Vessel Defense and Shipboard Security. The program is consistent with current national and international conventions including SOLAS and the ISPS Code. In order to meet the needs of the working learner, the program consists of three modules, each one week in duration. The modules consist of the prerequisite Basic Course, the Shipboard Security Team Officer Course, and a Practical Course which deals with training in both non-lethal and lethal defensive techniques in a real world environment. The program's fused training is intended for professional mariners, law enforcement officers, and maritime security contractors.