Eos Risk Management Ltd is launching a new maritime security service on the 20
February that is unlike any other provided by a western security company. Their West
Africa service will protect commercial ships on their way through the notoriously unstable region of the Gulf of Guinea which has been designated a High Risk Area for piracy and other hostile incidents.
This fully licensed service supplies ex-forces armed operatives, using the latest
Eos Risk Management Ltd is launching a new maritime security service on the 20
February that is unlike any other provided by a western security company. Their West
Africa service will protect commercial ships on their way through the notoriously unstable region of the Gulf of Guinea which has been designated a High Risk Area for piracy and other hostile incidents.
This fully licensed service supplies ex-forces armed operatives, using the latest
equipment and trained in advanced conflict management techniques that will protect these vessels as they travel through this area, from the Ivory Coast to Cameroon.
Over the last 18 months this area has seen an increase in pirate attacks from groups
operating out of Nigeria who have turned to oil tankers and other container ships in order to steal the cargo which is then sold on the black market. The profits from this are then channelled into criminal activities such as people trafficking, drug/arms smuggling and terrorism.
In 2011 there were 25 reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea. But in 2012 there were 32 incidents in this area which shows a worrying increase
This rise in attacks corresponds with a decrease in Somali piracy which confirms the
suspicions held by international authorities who has suspected a growth in piracy off the coast of West Africa. This rise in attacks which includes hijackings poses a threat to shipping in that area and requires a professional risk assessed response.
In addition to this, there is an increased threat of violence from these pirates as
compared to their Somali counterparts who are keen to take hostages and hold them for ransom. These pirates from the Gulf of Guinea are more interested in the cargo and will physically attack and kill crew members in order to gain access to this.
Eos are experts in the field of maritime security, providing highly trained vessel
protection officers with the knowledge, capabilities and backup needed to perform this
dangerous task.
Many western security firms have to engage the services of the Nigerian and West
African armies to provide armed protection but Eos supplies its own teams and weapons for this very purpose.
The advantage of this is that the shipping company utilises the services of a team
with vital skills, knowledge and experience needed for what can be, a life threatening
situation. They are provided with a service which offers a duty of care and a level
of professionalism and trust which is second to none.
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