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SRS Maritime Security Services Gulf of Guinea Report 2012-08-14
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION DATE PAGE GULF OF GUINEA REPORT PUBLIC 2012-08-14 1/9
PO BOX 244, SE-101 24 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
phone +46 8 440 90 70 | fax +46 8 440 90 71 | email [email protected] | web www.srsgroup.se
Table of contents
1 . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 2
2 . CURRENT SECURITY SITUATION AND TRENDS IN GULF OF GUINEA .................... 3
3 . SWOT-ANALYSIS OF THE SECURITY SITUATION FOR COMMERCIAL FLEETS IN WEST AFRICA (AS OF AUGUST 2012) ..................................................................................... 4
4 . PROPOSED SOLUTIONS ........................................................................................................ 5
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION DATE PAGE GULF OF GUINEA REPORT PUBLIC 2012-08-14 2/9
PO BOX 244, SE-101 24 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
phone +46 8 440 90 70 | fax +46 8 440 90 71 | email [email protected] | web www.srsgroup.se
1 . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The risk level of piracy in Gulf of Guinea (GoG) is HIGH (Nigeria, Togo and Benin) or
Elevated (for neighbouring countries). The general assessment is that pirate and criminal
activity will start expanding further west of Togo as well as moving further offshore (>
135 nm) as attack patterns are driven by target availability.
Pirates and criminals in GoG are more prone to use violence incl. murder and have
evolved from being opportunistic to becoming very well-informed of vessel locations, type
of cargo as well as current protection measures onboard.
The current legal situation in the countries around GoG does not allow for any expatriate
security teams to carry arms onboard. Although Nigerian and Benin have started to
operate joint marine patrols, provision of local armed security teams for on-board
protection is currently only available in Nigeria, Togo and Benin.
Due to the legal situation and limited availability of professional armed security teams,
SRS recommends a combination of 2 expat security advisors to manage a local armed
security team staffed by the local Navy or Marine Police alternatively hiring 2 gun boats
from the Nigerian, Togolese or Benin Navy or Marine Police to provide protection and
rapid reaction.
The role and responsibilities of the expat security advisor also include liasing with local
security providers and authorities, providing the master with recommendations on how
to improve security, managing the local security team on-board as well as conducting
training for the vessel’s crew.
Using on-board team consisting of expat security advisors and a local armed security has
proven to be the most cost-effective and successful deterent against pirate and criminal
attacks in GoG. This solution enables ship owners and operators to immediately support
ship masters and crews operating in high risk areas.
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION DATE PAGE GULF OF GUINEA REPORT PUBLIC 2012-08-14 3/9
PO BOX 244, SE-101 24 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
phone +46 8 440 90 70 | fax +46 8 440 90 71 | email [email protected] | web www.srsgroup.se
2 . CURRENT SECURITY SITUATION AND TRENDS IN GULF OF GUINEA
*Source: RiskIntelligence
Approximately 156 offshore attacks have been reported in this region during 2011 and
2012 (YTD). A majority of these attacks have been on ships at anchor, drifting or engaged
in STS operations within 135 nm of the shoreline.
The pirates usually use one or two skiffs with 10 - 15 armed pirates. Hijacked vessels are,
on average, held for 1 - 11 days during which the pirates transfer the cargo to other
vessels.
Some vessels now conduct STS operations > 135 nm from the shoreline. This is seen as
safer, but more expensive due to additional bunker and time requirements. However, in
the last three months there have been two reported incidents outside the HRA which
indicates that the pirates are now following the vessels further offshore.
Even though Nigeria and Benin have started to conduct joint patrols close to the shoreline
of both countries, the number of attacks have not decreased. As a response to the joint
patrol the pirates has expanded their area of operation further west to Lóme, Togo. The
arrest of a retired naval officer in November 2011 also indicates the involvement and
corruption within the local navies and confirms that in most cases the shipowner have to
rely on themselves.
In addition to BMP, there are currently three main alternatives to raise the level of
protection for vessels operating in GoG:
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION DATE PAGE GULF OF GUINEA REPORT PUBLIC 2012-08-14 4/9
PO BOX 244, SE-101 24 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
phone +46 8 440 90 70 | fax +46 8 440 90 71 | email [email protected] | web www.srsgroup.se
a. Use gunboats supplied by SRS subcontracted company: an effective, but very
expensive solution;
b. Use a local armed team with SRS expatriate advisors/supervisors: more cost
effective, but is currently limited to vessels operating outside the waters of
Nigeria, Benin and Togo
c. Use unarmed SRS expatriate security advisors onboard; which is possible
across the whole GoG area.
3 . SWOT-ANALYSIS OF THE SECURITY SITUATION FOR COMMERCIAL FLEETS IN WEST AFRICA (as of August 2012)
Strengths Weaknesses
Most ships have implemented BMP as
minimum standards
Ship masters and crews receive intelligence
updates from local and international sources
Ships can receive support from local navies
and marine police (limited range)
Ships have access to commercial Quick
Reaction Forces (QRF)
No access to expatriate armed teams
Perceived insecurity within the crew when
vessel is operation in this area
Ship operations require long stays within the
high risk area
High level of corruption and fraud within the
local governmental and military organisations
Limited or no coordination between the
countries along the coast
Lack of support or long response time in the
different port states in case of an incident
Opportunities Threats
Improve situational awareness, control,
support and back-up through security
company and advisors
Deploy 2 gunboats for protection and QRF
(expensive)
Deploy 2 unarmed security advisors (support
and liasion local navies, crew training and
layered defence recommendations)
Deploy armed local security team staffed by
the local authorities and managed by expat
security advisors
Increased hijackings of product and chemical
tankers for the purpose of stealing cargo
Armed robbery at sea (cash, computers,
phones and personal belongings) are often
very violent
Small scale theft or corruption incl. agents
requiring bribes to ensure that operations will
run smoothly
Establishment of piracy in the states and
waters outside of the HRA
DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION DATE PAGE GULF OF GUINEA REPORT PUBLIC 2012-08-14 5/9
PO BOX 244, SE-101 24 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
phone +46 8 440 90 70 | fax +46 8 440 90 71 | email [email protected] | web www.srsgroup.se
4. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
A. Short term solution
SRS has a pool of counsultants that are specialised on operations and vessels trading along the west coast of Africa. Ship owners and operators are able to continue with successful operations in GoG and ensure the safety and good spirits of ship masters and crews with the following security set-up:
Ships approaching from west
1. Deploy two (2) security advisors on-board with embarkation in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
2. Deploy armed local team who are supervised by expatriate when operating within Togo, Benin and Nigerian waters with pick-up/drop-off at Lomé, Cotonou, Lagos, Warri or Bonny.
Ships approaching from south
1. Deploy two (2) security advisors on-board with embarkation in Gabon.
2. Deploy armed local team who are supervised by expatriate when operating within Togo, Benin and Nigerian waters with pick-up/drop-off at Lomé, Cotonou, Lagos, Warri or Bonny.
B. Long term solution
SRS is actively developing a sustainable solution for the whole GoG by expanding our network of local security providers and authorities in countries around GoG. This includes quality assurance and formalising support agreements as well as monitoring legal requirements and developments for armed teams.