PVI is fully operational across the Gulf of Guinea and offers a fleet of 45 knot security vessels for escorts in Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Sao Tome and Principe, and Gabon.
With a regional 24/7 operations hub and in-country managers, PVI is dedicated to keeping crew and cargo safe.
Our partnership with Nigerian-based Southgate Global, Nigerian Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) holders and regulated maritime security providers enables our clients to benefit from the added assurance of a fully compliant, complete supply chain solution for transits in the Gulf of Guinea.
WHY IS MARITIME SECURITY COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL JURISDICTIONS SO IMPORTANT?
Stories shared among crew across West Africa invariably detail the rumours of vessel and crew arrests by authorities who discover the use of a non-compliant security solution. Advice on what is legal varies greatly, as does pricing and contractual obligations. Similar to the situation faced in the Indian Ocean with the rise of Somali pirates 10 years ago when there were little to no regulations, the industry is filled with companies making up their own rules. Worse still, many of these companies do not understand the ratified legal implications of operating in waters off West Africa without an MOU. Although prices may be low initially, shipowners can expect spiralling supply chain costs as these companies will be unable to provide complete, legally compliant supply chain risk mitigation solutions for transits in the region.
WHO’S LIABLE IF A NON-COMPLIANT OPERATOR IS CONTRACTED?
It falls upon the ship operators to ensure that whatever solution they choose, it is compliant for each jurisdiction they sail.
“YOU HEAR THESE STORIES OF A VESSEL OR CREW BEING DETAINED AND THE FRUSTRATION THAT GOES WITH IT, AND THAT IS SIMPLY A RESULT OF RECEIVING BAD ADVICE”.
STEVE CAMERON,
MD AT CAMERON MARITIME RESOURCES, A WEST AFRICAN COMMERCIAL SHIPPING CONSULTANCY.
What are the repercussions for companies who select maritime security and supply chain operators who do not have a MOU with the correct national governments?
The penalties for non-compliance include forfeiture of any article or property seized by NIMASA and, upon conviction, the offender will be liable to pay a fine of one million Naira (around US$ 2,600) or may be imprisoned for no more than twelve months, or both.
Most recently, the MT San Padre Pio was caught transferring gas oil into another ship on Nigerian waters in the middle of the night without permission from the relevant authorities.The vessel and her crew were released in July 2021 following 3 years in custody after being detained by the Nigerian authorities.
Protect your people, vessels, cargo and reputation by enlisting PVI and Southgate’s supply chain solutions for your West Africa transits.
Talk to our team to get a quote for fully compliant supply chain and maritime security solutions in West Africa.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS TO VESSELS TRANSITING THE GULF OF GUINEA?
As pirates have become better financed and more sophisticated their attacks have moved across boundaries to become more frequent throughout all areas of the Gulf of Guinea in numerous jurisdictions. Most security providers trade in the Nigerian EEZ but pirates are focusing deeper offshore and in other EEZs, making any vessel vulnerable. The focus of the pirates is kidnapping crew, no matter the vessel type.
The following short video is a time lapse of incident reporting since 2010, demonstrating how piracy attacks have spread throughout the GoG and why the geographical risk has shifted greatly.
PVI, a DG Risk Group company owns and manages one of the largest fleets of security vessels in the Gulf of Guinea with the unique ability to mobilise and work in multiple jurisdictions alongside host navies.
Serving two of the busiest ports in West Africa, the fleet of Bastion Class security vessels are available to be mobilised at short notice to provide escorts for vessels calling into Lomé and Tema.
WHY CHOOSE OUR SECURITY ESCORT VESSEL SERVICE TO SUPPORT YOUR LOME AND TEMA VOYAGES?
- Link-up RVP with our security escort on the westerly approach into Lomé through the Ghanaian EEZ, which is the most direct route into Lomé from the west that offers private SEV services.
- Vessels operate to independent escort schedules and not as part of group convoys.
- PVI works in collaboration with host nations to enhance the security services offered to merchant vessels in their EEZ.