1. What is Maritime Security Solutions?
Maritime Security Solutions is a combination of various security techniques to ensure the best safety and security onboard vessels during their transits of High Risk Areas.

2. What services are included in your company’s maritime security solutions?
Included in our solution are Risk Assessment of each vessel, based upon its intended route, the training of crew in the latest industry BMP (Best Management Practices), transporting of escort teams and armaments to and from vessels and fully trained and experienced personnel securing vessels at all times whilst in the High Risk Area.

3. What does BMP mean?
Best Management Practices are documents that are produced by the Shipping Industry in consultation with the combined naval forces - EUNAVFOR, the NATO Shipping Centre and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). These documents detail the recommended best management practices to deter piracy in high risk waters. They are the suggested planning and operational practices for ship operators, and masters of ships transiting in high risk waters.

4. What are the High Risk Areas?
The High Risk Areas are defined by the International Insurance and Underwriting Joint War Committee (JWC), these areas currently include the Gulf of Aden the Indian Ocean, especially off the coast of Somalia, and the Red Sea.

5. Where is G4S MSS based? Where is the company registered?
The G4S Maritime Security Company is registered and managed from the Dubai U.A.E. Free Zone.

6. From where does G4S conduct its Maritime Security Solutions operations?
G4S Maritime Security Solutions base their operations from Djibouti. We are fully licensed to hold and transport weapons and armaments from this and other locations around the Indian Ocean.

7. How many years has G4S been operating this service?
G4S has been in the Maritime Security business since 2004.

8. What industry experience does G4S have?
The G4S Group forms one of the largest global networks of security operations worldwide, with more than 625,000 employees. G4S operates in more than110 countries. As part of this global network, G4S Maritime Security Solutions has, over the last 8 years since the introduction of the ISPS code, become a leading security provider to the shipping community. We have provided consultative, unarmed and armed solutions to some of the world’s leading shipping lines and have conducted hundreds of successful protective missions through high risk piracy areas without a boarding incident. Customer lists and references can be provided on request.

9. How many journeys have you protected vessels and ships for?
Figures available on request.

10. How many people per Escort Team on vessels?
This is dependent on the client, the vessel, the journey and the type of cargo. Only after all details are understood can G4S make a recommendation in terms of manpower. Generally speaking, our Escort Teams are between 3 and four people including a Team Leader.

11. Are they armed? What are they armed with?
Yes, our Escort Teams on board the vessels are armed with a variety of small arms appropriate to each mission and are licensed under international law.

12. Do you provide unarmed protection?
Due to the increasing violence of pirates operating in high risk waters and the great dangers that our clients vessels are encountering, G4S does not currently provide unarmed escort teams.

13. Do you follow IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Guidelines?
G4S is fully compliant with all IMO Guidelines and have open and clear communication with all parties concerned.

14. What are the G4S Rules for the Use of Force?
G4S have compiled standard RUFs which are in-line with international standards. These can be sent to you at any stage for review.

15. What accreditations does G4S MSS have?
We are registered with the UN as a licensed provider of Armed Security Services. We are members of SAMI – the Security Association of Maritime Industry. We are signatories to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers. We are fully compliant with IMO Circulars 1405 & 1406.

16. What are the G4S Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)?
G4S MSS SOPs have been designed to meet the operational compliance requirements of the IMO Circular 1405 & 1406 and most importantly to protect our customers’ assets.

17. Where is G4S licensed to operate the transportation of weapons?
G4S is fully licensed to operate in all jurisdictions bordering the JWC (Joint War Committee) High Risk Area. Copies of regulations for international and territorial waters and current license to transport firearms in Djibouti, Oman, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Maldives and Mozambique can be made available if necessary. From these bases, transportation to vessels can easily be arranged by G4S.

18. How does G4S recruit staff for escort teams?
Serving as a G4S Maritime Security Officer requires an individual to be situated in a position of possible volatility, so it requires a higher standard than many of the other security posts in the industry. Therefore, stringent vetting and selection processes are in place to ensure only the most suitable candidates are considered for the role so that neither G4S nor our clients are exposed to unnecessary risk.

19. How is the service priced?
The costs are based on a number of key requirements. The approach that we take is to ensure that the service proposed by G4S represents value for money and meets your requirements in full. Factors such as number of security personnel per escort team, length of journey, journey start and end points, number of journeys and vessels’ BMP readiness are some of the factors considered in pricing our services.

20. How do G4S services vary among different types of shipping companies?
As an international service provider, G4S works hard to maintain its strong reputation. For this reason, G4S has to operate at very high standards and cannot afford to offer a sub-standard service at any time. The services we offer include risk assessment, training of crew to BMP standards and armed escort teams on-board to protect vessels from the very real threat of pirates.

21. Who are some of the shipping companies or agencies that you have been serving?
These are available on request.

22. What Insurance Cover does G4S MSS have?
As the largest global provider of security solutions, G4S maintains robust insurance coverage for its operations and activities, including its maritime solutions. We work closely with our customers, their insurers and the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs to ensure that sufficient insurance provision is in place and that all requirements under IMO and BMP guidance are entirely satisfied. Additional information on specific aspects of G4S’s insurance coverage can be made available as necessary.

23. Why should I choose G4S over other maritime security provider?
Service, Personnel and Support – Our exceptional levels of service is the reason why G4S has such a strong reputation with our customers and within the industry. We are a global operating company listed on the London Stock Exchange and we cannot afford to let our service levels slip.
Due to the volatile nature and dangers involved in this particular industry, employing the right people is integral to successfully running our business. All of G4S’s maritime security escort staff are ex Navy/Marine personnel who have considerable experience and understanding of their operating environment onboard ships. This however is only one of the many criteria that is assessed for employment with G4S MSS.
G4S has offices and operations in more than 110 countries worldwide. Close to the high risk areas we have operations in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Djibouti, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles. We know of no other company in the Maritime Security Industry that can offer that kind of global and regional support.