New security guidelines for West Africa

MAST has developed the guidelines in support of new directions published on the last month by GT North P&I Club which highlighted that: ‘Members should also be aware of the practice of using a reputable security provider, such as those employed in the Gulf of Aden, to facilitate the use of armed guards in West Africa. Such providers can source legitimate members of the security forces and provide personnel to act as a liaison between the Master and the Nigerian forces once embarked on a vessel.’

The new guidance issued by the P&I Club aims to raise awareness of the potential problems of operating in the region and is supported by MAST which believes ship owners and charterers are putting themselves at risk by hiring low cost, unregulated security services.

Piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea are rising and tend to be violent in nature. According to recent figures from the International Maritime Bureau there were 58 incidents in the region last year including 10 hijackings involving 207 crew members being taken hostage.

MAST CEO Philip Cable said: ‘In the Gulf of Aden the GUARDCON contract is rightly held as the industry standard, but MAST believes it is not entirely suited to the West African region and recommends that ship owners / charterers use an amended version of the Guardcon contract which is available and approved by the International Group of Clubs.