A new frontier?
With crises and instability in West and East Africa being mirrored in North African states, ‘Maritime Journal’ asks whether the Mediterranean is becoming the new frontier in Maritime Security.
The recent withdrawal of a number of high profile security companies appeared to indicate an industry in flux – however, Ralph Marshall of Malta-based Marshall Consultants Group, explains that worsening security and increasingly active threats in other parts of the Mediterranean have created greater demand for services.
Ralph explained that “Conflicts in the region have caused the spike. A number of North African states are in the middle of crises and unable to fully secure their maritime borders. Southern Europe is dealing with a humanitarian crisis in terms of migration and businesses are concerned about the threat from Islamic State Militants in the region”.
Ralph further noted how companies who operate in these regions are concerned with good reason, “When you look at what occurred during the Arab Spring and the current battle in North Africa for control of key petro-chemical infrastructure, then I can understand why companies are motivated to protect their operations.”
He explained that requests for support vessels and logistical support have expanded rapidly in response to the threats, “We’ve responded to demand from organisations operating in the Mediterranean who are concerned for their staff and assets. We have a number of trained personnel and support vessels offering logistical support and evacuation, and that’s been key to allowing businesses to operate safely in the region”.
He added that he doesn’t see an immediate end to instability in the Mediterranean, “All analysis points to an ongoing crisis and companies need to protect themselves and their assets, all we can do is play our part in keeping business functioning safely in the region; stability and security are key and Malta is ideally placed to aid in that effort.”
Ralph Marshall is CEO of Marshall Consultants Group, a management company directing the affairs of 12 separate companies in the Maritime and Aviation Sectors.
By Jake Frith
