Pmscs News

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…

Ship owners and managers now have the chance to choose the most cost-effective private maritime security company (PMSC) to protect their ships via a new online tool launched Monday. The online program, known as Marsec Manager, is the brainchild of Bastion International, a maritime security brokerage company offering cost-effective security solutions to shipping companies from some of the best providers in the industry. Marsec Manager enables users to compare different PMSCs in terms of pricing and what they can offer before deciding which security solution is best for them.

Tundra Maritime Defense Services (MDS), the maritime division of Tundra Group, announced that it has been awarded full certification and accreditation for the recently issued ISO 28007-1:2015 (Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies), following an audit conducted by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). ISO 28007-1:2015 gives established guidelines to private maritime security companies (PMSC) that supply privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships and the compliance requirements are much more stringent than those required by the ‘old’ ISO/PAS 28007.

The Marshall Islands, the world’s third largest registry with a fleet of more than 3,640 ships, is the first flag to implement the new rules following revised interim recommendations published in June’s Maritime Safety Committee circular MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev. At its 95th session, the MSC stated that flag states should ensure that PMSCs onboard ships hold a valid ISO 28007-1:2015 certification. ESC Global Security, an Estonia-based maritime security provider, has been audited according to the new standard. The main difference between the new standard and the existing ISO PAS 28007:2012 version is that it includes a clause to ensure PMSCs have measures and procedures in place that are compliant with international law on human rights.

UK-based charity Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) announced its cooperation with maritime training provider Marlins on the development and endorsement of a new e-learning course addressing the rescuing of migrants at sea. The new course, entitled Humanitarian Response, aims to provide learners with an understanding of the reasons why migrants and refugees choose a sea route, suggestions for planning and preparing ship and crew for possible involvement in large scale rescue operations and guidelines and suggestions for vessels involved in the rescue of large numbers of migrants or refugees at sea.

Meridian’s counter-piracy teams may now operate aboard vessels flying the Panama flag, following a vetting process that validated the quality of the US-based private maritime security company. The final decision was made this week by the Panama Maritime Authority, which administers the world’s largest flag State. The vetting process included scrutiny of Meridian’s reputation, financial stability, training standards, firearms handling accountability, corporate structure and proof of ISO 9001:2008 certification.

The Panama Maritime Authority has accredited ESC Global Security personnel to offer protection aboard Panamanian-registered vessels, in what is thought to mark the first Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) licence issued under the new Panama Administration. During December 2014, a new set of rules including a new licence fee for PMSCs was introduced whereby failure to comply would result in the revocation or suspension of a security company’s operating licence. The new…

Despite the significant reduction in piracy attacks over the last few years it is now widely accepted by the maritime community that the safety of the High Seas cannot always be guaranteed by Governments. The future of security in the marine environment is about cooperation between the public and private sector according to the leading private maritime security company MAST. He added: “Although the Indian Ocean is relatively quiet at the moment, the overall political direction of Somalia is far from settled. Things could change very quickly and with very little notice. Astbury said that in the Mediterranean, few people realised the scale of the people displacement caused by the civil war in Syria and its spill over into the wider region.

With progress being made against piracy off Somalia, it seems that other maritime security issues are becoming top line issues for shipowners. The Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI), is a global focal point for maritime security matters, and is well placed to highlight the current maritime security concerns, those which are over the horizon and the initiatives which are being rolled out to counter the threats and mitigate the risks. While there has been a degree of containment of Indian Ocean piracy…

Piracy’s gone away, right? You’d be forgiven for thinking that. The predominant narrative for the Indian Ocean is that Piracy has been suppressed to an extent that ship-owners are requesting fewer guards, even unarmed in some cases. Certainly private security team composition has adjusted beneath the “rule of four” and the nationality of guards has shifted significantly away from the UK only model. But given the recent attacks in South East Asia and the prevailing amount of maritime crime and piracy off the Gulf of Guinea…

"Initially the doors within the shipping industry had been closed to private maritime security companies, and there was a definite “them and us” divide. SAMI has joined the United Nations Contact Group on piracy, and this has allowed the maritime security industry a voice at the highest levels, and a conduit for information to be channelled. For a long time there was antipathy towards PMSCs – but now, it is able to communicate as respected, integrated and involved parts of the wider shipping community. Maritime security has come a long way in a short time, and it is a testament to the quality providers who have worked hard to provide excellence to their clients…

Videotel, in association with Steamship Mutual, has launched a new training programme  developed in conjunction with the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) and BIMCO, informs UK trade association Maritime London. Videotel points out that it is easy to forget that the use of Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) has only become commonplace in the last few years and that the selection and deployment of armed guards is still an unknown quantity for many operators and crew. The company notes that, as part of their anti-piracy measures, many shipping companies now employ armed security guards aboard vessels that transit…

It is easy to forget that the use of Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) has only become commonplace in the last few years and that the selection and deployment of armed guards is still an unknown quantity for many operators and crew. In response to this, Videotel has made a new addition to its armoury of training materials with the creation of a brand new program – Working with Maritime Security Guards – which has been developed in conjunction with the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) and BIMCO.

Port2Port Maritime has now been formally accepted as an Associate Member of BIMCO, following the company’s accreditation of ISO/PAS 28007, the first assessment of a maritime security company’s quality management system against an International Standards Organization framework (ISO). Andrew Varney, Managing Director, Port2Port Maritime said, “Membership to BIMCO gives a clear choice for Shipowners, Charterers and Operators alike that for the first time, having proven its competency and capability beyond doubt…

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.

Tundra Maritime Defense Services (MDS), the maritime division of Tundra Group, announce that it has now been formally awarded full certification and accreditation for ISO 28000 including ISO/PAS 28007:2012 (Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies), following Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) being appointed as a ‘Certifying Body’ (CB) against ISO/PAS 28007 by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). This new accreditation ensures that Tundra MDS maintains the highest possible level of ISO/PAS 28007 certification, a level that the company said is shared by just a handful of PMSCs. ISO/PAS 28007 gives established guidelines to private maritime security companies (PMSC) that supply privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships.

Maritime security company Ambrey Risk, specialists in commercial shipping in the oil and gas sector inform it has now been formally awarded full certification & accreditation for ISO 28000: ISO/PAS 28007, following Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) being appointed as a ‘Certifying Body’ (CB) against ISO/PAS 28007 by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). This concludes the ISO/PAS 28007 Pilot, the first assessment of a maritime security company’s quality management system against an International Standards Organisation framework (ISO).

Port2Port Maritime Security Ltd. has been awarded full certification / accreditation for ISO 28000: ISO/PAS 28007. Following a rigorous validation process, Port2Port is independently certified through MSS Global via the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), with full compliance to the new security management system specification. Andrew Varney, Managing Director of Port2Port Maritime said, "Port2Port has worked extremely hard to implement the ISO in full; this award is vindication of our efforts.

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…

Private maritime security service company Protection Vessels International (PVI), part of Protection Group International, announced that it has achieved accreditation to deploy armed guards on German flagged vessels. Applicable from December 1, 2013, the updated German regulations are more stringent than any other existing standard and go beyond ISO 28000/28007 certification, which is currently being piloted. The German regulations ensure private maritime security companies' (PMSCs') operating procedures are comprehensive, well documented and executed safely.

Tundra Maritime Defense Services (MDS), has been certified by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) to ISO/PAS 28007, the Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs). The certification, explains Tundra, gives established guidelines to private maritime security companies (PMSC) that supply privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships. Certification to these standards demonstrates to the international community that Tundra MDS can legally, safely and effectively guard seafarers, their vessels and cargo.

Solace Global, one of the  world's most trusted provider of security in maritime, offshore and land-based environments, has announces its successful certification to ISO PAS 28007, Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs). Following its position on the working group, the company is one of the first to achieve the certification, which was developed in response to the demand for increased regulation of the security sector. Since its establishment in 2010, Solace Global has been leading the way in all aspects of compliance…

Marine logistics company Griffin Kinetic (GK) and Tundra Maritime Defence Services, (Tundra MDS) a maritime security provider, announced an exclusive partnership to provide logistics and security services to the international marine community. This collaboration leverages GK’s capabilities and experience in marine logistics and Tundra MDS’s experience and expertise in the maritime security sector. Both companies have banked in more than 25 years of relevant industry experience.