Maritime Security

Maritime Security in Gulf of Guinea

Gulf of Guinea – the most dangerous environment for commercial maritime operations in the world

Since 2017, a total of 427 incidents have been reported in West Africa

Annually* 130-140 persons have been kidnapped

In 2020:

136 seafarers were abducted in 27 incidents
Overall, 132 incidents that included robbery, kidnapping, violent armed boarding and hijack were reported
Use of guns reported in over 80% of kidnapping incidents

Maritime Security Solutions in Gulf of Guinea

Most countries in Gulf of Guinea region do not allow private guards and weapons to be deployed, instead requiring the use of local Navy personnel - either as on board security personnel or on designated escort vessel.

Arranging the same, can be challenging and costly. ESC has the capability and experience to provide the security service in partnership with directly vetted and government licensed local cooperation partners in the following GoG countries:

ESC offers a guaranteed and hassle free service as per EU standards, by taking care of all the procedures, including communication between the suppliers in different countries (for cross border tasks), embarkation/disembarkation of the local guards / MSLO(s), liaison with escort boats, along with the needful paperwork.

Services Explained

On board security teams with the following options:

4 local navy guards
4 local navy guards + Togolese liaison officer
4 local navy guards + EU liaison officer
4 local navy guards + 2 liaison officers (1 EU, 1 Togolese)

Designated escort boat in anchorage / OPL

The designated escort boat will stay in close vicinity of your vessel with the sole purpose of protecting and guarding that specific vessel. The vessel will have 24/7 communication with the escort boat.

Shared patrol services (at least 4 patrols per 24h)

Patrol boat will be in the close vicinity (around 4-5 NM) of the vessel and will visit the vessel at least 4 times within 24H period. The service is provided within the OPL area.

Designated escort vessel, meeting the merchant vessel 30-120NM out of the port

Armed vessel will sail out and meet the merchant vessel at the designated RV point, respectively 30-120 NM out of the port limits. The patrol boat will escort the vessel directly into the port or if need arises, protect the vessel until berthing.

"Border to Border" escort services

Escort vessel will protect / escort the Merchant vessel within the territorial waters of the specified country. The service can also be provided outside of the territorial waters, given that the armed escort vessel does not have to enter any territorial waters in-between the specified escort route.

Stow away searches

Stow away searches are conducted by specialised teams along with a trained search dog. Depending on the country, the search teams are either private company guards or from the Navy (contraband unit). The search will take around 3-4 hours after which the same team will keep an additional stow away watch until the vessel leaves from berth.

The search teams are combined of 4-5 guards / Navy officers. The service, in most cases, can be provided within 48 HRS notice.

* based on statistics between 2018-2020

Get in touch to find out more about the services in Gulf of Guinea

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