11 Companies Offering Maritime Security Services – Marine Insight

Maritime security has become an essential requirement for merchant vessels due to the increased threats from pirates worldwide.

Though the maritime industry witnessed a decline in pirate activities, including that of Somali Pirates, in the last few years, new threats are rising in other parts of the world.

The latest reports suggest a steady increase in the number of reported incidents of piracy, and regions such as the Gulf of Guinea account for a high percentage of such incidents.

Increasing piracy threats have resulted in enormous losses for shipping companies, forcing them to find new methods to battle piracy.

To tackle this problem successfully, many security companies have started providing maritime security services.

Recently, several countries have introduced legislation and rules to help shipping companies place armed guards onboard vessels to safeguard them from pirate attacks.

The new rules allow vessels to seek the help of private maritime security companies (PMSC) that can provide qualified security personnel to keep the ship, crew, and cargo safe.

Many maritime security companies command respect for the stellar security services they offer.

Here is a list of 11 such firms.

1. Hart Maritime

Established in 1999, Hart Maritime, part of Hart Integrated Solutions, is one of the established maritime security providers across the world.

Hart offers an array of maritime protection services to help shipping, offshore companies, and ports protect their assets and employees from risks, including pirate attacks.

Hart is involved at every stage to ensure adequate security and risk mitigation. Hart offers protection against piracy attacks in areas including the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf of Guinea.

Hart’s security team works with the local navy and coastguard to resolve crises when necessary. The company also provides comprehensive marine security training to international shipping conglomerates and government authorities.

2. Seagull Maritime Security

The Malta-based Seagull Maritime Security offers a number of maritime security and anti-piracy services, helping vessels make safe and secure voyages. Seagull Maritime supports vessels, especially commercial merchant ships, passing through the high-risk areas of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden to secure goods and seafarers abroad.

The security teams of Seagull Maritime Security include personnel who have served in Naval Commandos and elite special operations units. They are trained and qualified to act against all kinds of threats at sea, particularly maritime piracy.

According to the firm, Seagull’s security teams have successfully provided security services to hundreds of voyages, often effectively battling pirate attacks.

[embedded content]

3. MUSC 

MUSC, an acronym for Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants, has provided maritime security services for the past 37 years. MUSC performs anti-piracy security, ship security, port security and security assessments for shipping companies.

In addition, the firm provides security services for subsea pipelines and ensures the effective disposal of explosive materials. MUSC, a company licensed by the UK government to offer armed maritime security services, provides onboard security teams, counter-piracy auditing, vessel hardening, route planning, and vessel monitoring.

The firm also offers consultancy, training, and support to fight against the threats of weapons and drug smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, among others.

4. Hudson Analytix

Hudson Analytix offers a four-way marine security program that encompasses services to shipping companies, commercial vessels, ports, and onboard security services.

Under vessel and port security services, Hudson Analytix provides a number of elements, such as planning, assessment, training programs, and security consulting services, ensuring complete security support for clients.

The Hudson team ensures the security of vessels, including general cargo, RO-RO containers, bulk carriers, oil/chemical tankers, offshore vessels, and FPSOs.

Furthermore, Hudson’s Cyber Risk Management delivers the tools and support required to understand and manage cyber risk. The Company has been considered a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) internationally, and its extent of operations spans around 1,800 vessels and 300 ports internationally.

5. Solace Global

One of the significant players in the field of maritime security, Solace Global is an ISO-accredited firm with extensive experience in vessel protection. Solace offers security services and performs anti-piracy operations for more than 5,000 vessels worldwide.

Solace’s clients include commercial shipping companies, cruise liners, oil majors, and superyacht owners. The firm’s services include vessel protection, maritime security consultancy, stowaway prevention, ship security audits, maritime intelligence and vessel tracking, and crew training.

According to Solace, using both armed and unarmed security solutions, it provides shipping companies with complete desktop risk assessments, remote risk consultancy, on-site security audits, and tracking.

[embedded content]

6. MAST

Based in Great Britain, MAST provides extensive maritime security services and is known for its detailed services.

According to the MAST, it is one of the first securities companies to house private-armed guards on merchant vessels and yachts legally.

Under its maritime security wing, MAST offers services in high-risk areas in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Guinea, and the Sulu Sea. MAST also has offices in countries like South Africa, Malta, Djibouti, and Oman.

7. Securewest International

Securewest International is a security service provider that offers marine security services to civilian and naval vessels.

The company provides risCompanyement services, including vessel tracking, ship accompaniment and architectural security services for commercial and cruise vessels, offshore companies and military departments.

Certified to ISO 28007, Securewest offers services to vessels transiting through the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Guinea regions.

It ensures that the shipping companies have highly experienced maritime security personnel and advanced escort vessels.

Recognised internationally for its counter-piracy and ISPS preparatory services, Securewest is part of the Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG) and offers training courses that are approved by agencies, including the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

8. Neptune Maritime Security

With offices in the UK and the UAE, Neptune Maritime Security offers services to commercial vessels, cruise ships, superyachts, Ports and terminals, and the oil and gas industries. Its security services are unique as it offers customised maritime protection to counter maritime piracy.

The Company’s security services are also flexible and offered based on the singularity and extent of a security threat. According to Neptune, the company has carried out protected voyages in High-Risk Areas of the region, including the Indian Ocean and the West African Gulf of Guinea.

The firm also provides security training to facility security officers and other crew members to ensure the complete security of the vessels.

[embedded content]

9. ESPADA

One of the prominent security service providers, ESPADA carries out expert security measures, emergency evacuations and logistical processes as part of its land and maritime operations.

The company brings qualified personnel to perform maritime security and anti-piracy operations worldwide. In addition to anti-piracy operations, the maritime-based security wing of ESPADA performs counter-terrorism and asset protection, helping commercial and other ships transit through high-risk areas safely.

ESPADA’s security personnel serve vessels transiting through the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean Basin, and the Arabian Sea. According to the firm, its security teams have completed more than 500 transits in dangerous sea routes worldwide.

10. STS maritime security

STS maritime security offers its services mostly to the US government, important defence contractors, and selected private entities worldwide. The company offers professional, fully licensed, highly trained security teams and manages all governmental permits, administrative interfaces, and logistical support for security operations around the world.

STS delivers privately contracted armed security personnel to the maritime industry, securing assets and crews from a variety of threats. The firm now provides service to the US-flagged RORO fleets in HRW and protection to bulk carriers transiting East African waters with the help of ‘fly away’ security teams.

Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Services

An association of “Veterans of Special Troops,” also known as VST, Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Services, offers services to organisations and assets, including commercial vessels and superyachts.

The group also supports port facilities, the oil and gas industry and the energy sector. According to the group, their service is available in the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Mozambique Channel, Gulf of Aden and West Coast of Africa.

VST’s security teams offer services to vessels, including bulk carriers, fishing ships, yachts, cruise ships, and petroleum tankers. The members of the group are trained personnel from former special forces and marines. VST also delivers training to vessel owners and port operators to secure their assets and staff from threats.



The services offered by these security firms help shipping companies assure security for their crew and cargo.

Since shipping piracy has become an unchecked evil in certain water parts and is spreading towards other oceanic networks, opting for maritime security services has become a choice that cannot be overlooked.

You may also like to read – What are the Benefits of Container Security Initiative (CSI)?

Related Posts

This post was originally published on 3rd party site mentioned in the title of this site