Hidro
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Private security companies called in to combat Somali piracy
With the surge in Somali piracy over the last 18 months or so, private security companies (PSCs) have been busy providing ship owners with security for vessel transits through the Gulf of Aden. As well as protecting vessels and crews against attacks, such arrangements help lower the cost of marine insurance premiums that are underwritten by Lloyds of London syndicates.
The PSCs are mostly British-based, although American firms are also getting in on the action. They have close links to the shipping industry and insurance companies. The list of companies that claim to be operating off the Horn of Africa is lengthy, but the following firms stand out.
With the surge in Somali piracy over the last 18 months or so, private security companies (PSCs) have been busy providing ship owners with security for vessel transits through the Gulf of Aden. As well as protecting vessels and crews against attacks, such arrangements help lower the cost of marine insurance premiums that are underwritten by Lloyds of London syndicates.
The PSCs are mostly British-based, although American firms are also getting in on the action. They have close links to the shipping industry and insurance companies. The list of companies that claim to be operating off the Horn of Africa is lengthy, but the following firms stand out.
- GEO & Shield Consulting: a London-based firm which works with the Yemen Coast Guard (in partnership with Lotus Projects, a Yemen company) to provide onboard security teams and escort vessels during passages through Yemeni waters. Gulf of Aden Group Transits (GoAGT): an industry-funded organization which claims to be not-for-profit. Like GEO/Shield, it works with the Yemen Coast Guard and Lotus to provide ships with guards and vessel escorts on Gulf transits. Drum-Cussac: a British-based firm which deploys security teams that use non-lethal force to repel pirates. It works with Dryad Maritime Intelligence Service, a specialist intelligence provider to the shipping and marine insurance industries. HP Terra-Marine International: sister company of US-based Hollowpoint Protection. It's licensed by the Yemen government to operate from Yemeni ports. [Update, 15 September 2009: the CE of a British private security company told me that HP Terra-Marine are no longer trading.] Protection Vessels International Ltd (PVI): a British-based firm which provides shipboard guards and an escort. It has its own escort vessel, which is crewed by former Royal Marines. MAST: a British-based company which specializes in protecting super yachts. MAST works with Watkins Marine Services Ltd, a yacht managing company which is linked to Watkins, a Lloyds of London syndicate, and Pilgrims Security Ltd, which is based in the Seychelles. Muse Pro Group: although Ukraine-based, this seems to be an American company. It works with the Yemen Navy and Coast Guard and local associate Alqusoor, and has two "bases" in Yemen, one at "each end" of the Gulf of Aden. Hart Group: a global PSC with its HQ in London. Hart trained and works with the Yemen Coast Guard. Hart's maritime division used to be called Global Marine Security Systems. Insurance company Swinglehurst Ltd offers shipowners war risk cover (including piracy risk) on Gulf transits where the ships are protected by Hart security personnel. REDfour MSS Ltd: the maritime wing of British company REDfour Security Group (which provides security services in Africa, the Middle East and Asia). Offers a range of services to shipowners, including onboard armed or unarmed security, depending on the flags of vessels. ISSG Holdings Ltd: a Seychelles-based company that provides security to different types of vessels and transits in the Gulf of Aden. ISSG mainly hires ex-Indian navy commandos for its security staff
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