Specialist maritime consultants, counter-piracy team, and training provider, Eos Risk Management Ltd, have another Flag Administration Approval to add to their growing list. August saw the official approval by the Greek State Flag Administration to employ armed security teams on-board Greek flagged ships as a counter-piracy measure.
The Greek authorisation is recognition of the tireless work undertaken by Eos in the field of counter-piracy and maritime security. Eos Risk Management Ltd, as a private armed maritime security service provider, is part of a concerted effort by the international community to prevent pirate attacks in High Risk Areas off the East and West African coast.
Greece rules the waves
Greece is the number one shipping nation in the world who is proud of its country and culture. They have a strong, nationalist streak and fiercely guard their maritime traditions that play an important part in their heritage. There is much evidence to show how the shipping industry was a major factor in preventing the Greek economy from failing at the height of the global recession.
The process of approval
The lengthy process took 7 months to complete and involved due diligence checks on Eos and its employees, namely their armed security teams by the Greek government to confirm their qualifications, training, experience and competency.
On the day Eos received their official approval, a team of four employees departed on transit for two weeks, travelling from Sri Lanka to India and then South Africa. This is one of many contracts undertaken by Eos, providing armed protection on flagged vessels, container ships, tankers and passenger ships.
On-going developments and achievements
This administration approval is one of many already achieved, with more to come and adds another string to the bow of Eos’s approvals and accreditations. Moving forward, each contract undertaken that involves Greek flagged vessels will require regular personnel checks to maintain records and procedure, thus ensuring that Eos applies the necessary processes and procedures required to meet the terms of this official authorisation.
This latest seal of approval follows their official authorisation by the Panama Maritime Authority to provide armed security personnel on-board their vessels in High Risk Areas (HRA). In addition, they have been added to their list of private maritime security companies (PMSC) as part of this administration approval.
Eos has Stage 1 official approval from the Security Association for Maritime Industry (SAMI) in quality vetting process: and from the Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG). These global organisations have an international reputation, acting on behalf of their members as well as being a hub for worldwide maritime security issues such as piracy.
Overall, this is a real coup for Eos. To have achieved official approval from a proud, seafaring nation such as Greece deserves critical acclaim. Eos is already very highly regarded in maritime security circles and this latest approval only adds to the growing reputation for professionalism, quality training and a customer focussed approach.
Celebrating this latest approval David Johnson, CEO, stated that Greek Flag Administration approval was another valuable step on the road to the professionalization of the niche maritime security sector.
“Eos now has a vast range of approvals from Flag Administrations, through coastal states, UK Government (export and firearms licensing), to P&I Club and Marine War Risk Underwriters. Many of these approvals are dependent upon the Company meeting formal, audited control requirements.”
As a responsible business with a strong ethical backbone Eos welcomes this increasing regulation, and very early on in its long history, took the decision to reinvest a large proportion of its profits back into the business to ensure that the anticipated controls which, are now a reality, could be met.
Mr. Johnson concludes: “We never took a short term approach to this business and were one of the first wave of global companies to enter this arena, in the early 2000’s before most people were aware that modern day piracy existed. The diligent approach we took is now yielding results and this is yet another example. We have been working with our Greek clients for many years and they are pleased to see that we have respected their Flag Administration with this new approval. As a Company we look forward to expanding our portfolio further, with more approvals imminent.”
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