MAST, AMSA Partner for Risk Management Services
Maritime security company Maritime Asset Security Training (MAST) has announced their partnership with Astbury Marine Services & Associates (AMSA), a specialist shipping and insurance response business.
The combination of front-line experience and industry knowledge place MAST and AMSA as leaders in their field.
The two companies will work together to provide an increased portfolio of risk management services to clients trading in difficult or complex environments. These include support following an insurance incident, ship arrest or delay and a prevention and response service in relation to Kidnap for Ransom.
MAST and AMSA have an intimate knowledge of Somalia from working on the ground for P&I Clubs, World Food Programme and a Somali regional government. Peter Astbury was previously lead advisor on negotiations in respect of four Somali hijack cases (and a retained advisor on eight others) and Gerry Northwood, COO of MAST, was formerly a Royal Navy counter piracy commander in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore their knowledge of the Gulf of Guinea is based upon a corporate presence in Nigeria and counter piracy support to commercial ships in the region since 2012.
Both firms were pioneers of counter piracy services in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea, and a successful concept of front line mediation for ship owners, marine insurers and Flag states with sensitive or intractable disputes. The firms will operate out of offices in the UK, Singapore and Sri Lanka and clients will benefit from an extensive global network of working contacts.
Peter Astbury, CEO and founder of AMS, said, “In a world where the trading environment for ship owners and ships’ crews is increasingly unpredictable, this partnership will help our mutual clients to better understand and mitigate risk, reassure their crews and avoid unnecessary delays and time off hire.”
Phil Cable, CEO and co-founder of MAST, said, “Our two companies have already long enjoyed a successful relationship and I am very pleased to be formalising the partnership. Clients of both firms will benefit from this coordinated approach and from the combined experience and expertise.”