Eos Risk Management Ltd is launching a new, West Africa maritime security service on February 20, seeking to protect commercial ships on their way through the high-risk region of the Gulf of Guinea in case of piracy.
This licensed service supplies ex-forces armed operatives to cover from Ivory Coast to Cameroon. The firm says that 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, 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 (see www.icc-ccs.org).
This rise in attacks corresponds with a decrease in Somali piracy. This rise in west African attacks which includes hijackings poses a threat to shipping in that area and the contractor says requires a risk assessed response.
Tthere 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 to gain access to this.
Maritime task force
Eos providing vessel protection officers to perform this dangerous task. According to the contract firm 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 more information visit www.eosrisk.com.
