AdvanFort International, Inc., a leading U.S. maritime security firm,
has announced that the Government of the Republic of Benin has granted
it permission—the first given by a West Africa government—to
conduct counter-piracy operations for both domestic and foreign-flagged
commercial vessels throughout Benin's waters. |
“It
is with great pleasure that I can confirm that President Dr. Thomas
Boni Yayi—who is also the African Union assembly chairperson—has
made our Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) the first foreign
enterprise to be able to fight the sea-borne marauders where they cause
the most problems,” said AdvanFort President and COO William H.
Watson.
“In being able to offer in West Africa the same kind of security
services for vessel owners and operators that have won us official U.S.
government praise for similar efforts off East Africa,” the AdvanFort
President added, “we are thrilled to have been chosen by Dr. Boni
Yayi and his administration for critical responsibilities as Benin prepares
to become a world-class registry for merchant shipping.”
Due to the expansion of its scope of business upon becoming the first
major Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) to win such an agreement
with a West African country facing a growing piracy challenge, Captain
Watson added, what previously was called the AdvanFort Company is rebranding
itself and will operate globally as AdvanFort International, Inc., a
Delaware (USA) corporation.
The announcement is the result of a key set of meetings in the all-important
Port of Cotonou between Watson and senior Benin government officials.
“Having AdvanFort working counter piracy and security in the Gulf
will safeguard cargo and an increased passenger trade,” observed
Septime Gnacadja, Director General of Benin-Scaphandrier, Chantier Naval
at the Port of Cotonou. “Also, with the exploration of so many
oil fields in the Gulf, a maritime security flotilla is what is needed
to take care of an unsafe area.”
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