Bangkok--31 Jul--AdvanFort Company
Maritime security leader given permission to work with Cyprus-flagged vessels
The Cyprus Department of MerchantShipping (DMS) has licensed the AdvanFort Company (www.advanfort.com), aworld-leading provider of maritime security solutions for the commercial
shipping industry, to supply the services of armed and unarmed escort guards onthose of its flagged vessels transiting piracy high-risk areas, it was announcedtoday.
The decision by Cypriot authorities comes just six months following similarapproval by the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) to conduct counter-piracyoperations aboard vessels flying the Panama flag.
“The increasing scrutiny by some of the most important European Unioncountries, of armed guards on vessels flying their countries’ flags, is alreadyhaving its effect, and we are pleased to announce that AdvanFort continues topass with flying colors,” said AdvanFort President William H. Watson.
“Coming after approval by the world’s largest flag state, our receiving the goaheadby Cyprus—one of the European countries that is leading the movementfor far greater standards and regulations for private maritime securitycompanies—is a wonderful reflection of AdvanFort’s own rigorous quality
management system.”
Captain Watson added that the Cyprus flag is a high-quality one, offeringnumerous advantages to ship-owners who register their vessels in the Cyprusregistry, which ranks 10th among international fleets and 3rd within theEuropean Union. He noted that the Cyprus Department of Merchant Shippingthat carried out the review process was at all times representative of theflag's renowned professional services.
The Cyprus accreditation was announced just a year after the publication of TheProtection of Cyprus Ships Against Acts of Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts Law of2012 (Law 77/2012) in the official gazette of the Republic of Cyprus.
"AdvanFort wishes to thank the Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping fortheir prompt vetting of our company and their approval of our highly-trainedoperators to protect their ships from piracy attack,” the AdvanFort presidentadded.
"We have for some time sought to be in the lead of Private Maritime SecurityCompanies in efforts to win regulatory compliance and the best-possible use ofcommon 'lessons learned,' and the DMS accreditation is yet anotherdemonstration to our clients and competitors of what drives us to succeed," hecontinued.
"Vessels flagged by Cyprus are of great importance and we are honored by havingbeen given the green light by N.L. Charalambous, acting director of theDepartment of Merchant Shipping, and we would like to thank him and hisprofessional staff, particularly Cpt. G. Stylianides, who as DMS liaison helped usthrough the process."
Captain Watson pointed out that Cyprus, like Germany and Belgium, now favorincreasingly stiff requirements meant to assure that best practices rule in theirhighly competitive markets.
“Ship owners and operators have one more reason to turn to AdvanFort,” heconcluded. “The Cypriot stamp of approval shows the uncompromising need tomaintain highly proactive systems that ensure state-of-the-art standards.”
For more information about the counter piracy solutions of AdvanFort, please visit
http://www.advanfort.com/index.php?page=services&services=counter-piracysolutions&
title=Counter-Piracy%20Solutions.