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 mail@srsgroup.se | 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 mail@srsgroup.se | 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 mail@srsgroup.se | 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 mail@srsgroup.se | 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 mail@srsgroup.se | 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.