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Advanfort News
Advanfort Issues Statement on Release of 'Seaman Guard Ohio' Crew
AdvanFort: the firm is delighted that an Indian appeals court has acquitted and released the 35 crew members and security personnel who were aboard the MV Seaman…
Advanfort Vessel and Crew Remain in Custody
The judicial magistrate in Tuticorin, C. Kathiravan, extended the custody of the AdvanFort-35 until March 14 after hearing arguments through video conferencing. The Advanfort-35 is the name dubbed to the 35 crew members who were captured by the Indian authorities in October of 2013. They were alleged to have entered Indian waters illegally with the AdvanFort vessel, the Seaman Guard Ohio. The company has since been working for the release of its ship and crew.
AdvanFort Begins Internal Restructuring
Private maritime security provider AdvanFort announced that it will commence a restructuring program to implement rigid quality control for its PCASPs, meant to…
Indian Coast Guard Detain AdvanFort Security Vessel
In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard has detained a Sierra Leone-flagged vessel with 25 armed guards on board, at Tuticorin. The vessel, 'Seaman Guard Ohio' is owned by US-based maritime security firm AdvanFort, but those on board were unable to explain why they had entered Indian waters, reports 'The Hindu'. 'The Hindu' cites Inspector-General and Commander Coast Guard (Region East) Satya…
Republic of Benin Taps AdvanFort as First PMSC
Gulf of Guinea counter-piracy accord adds international ballast to company rebranding. 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.
Advanfort Praises German PMSC Accreditation Process
Global maritime security services provider the AdvanFort Company today praised new accreditation criteria for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) working on German-flagged vessels that raise required standards but are also professionally flexible. "Key to this process is that the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) does not require a set of documents that is formally 'carved in stone,'” said AdvanFort Vice President for Sales and Business Development Axel Tuetken.
Maritime Security Firm AdvanFort Opens Hamburg Office
The AdvanFort Company has opened an office in Hamburg, Germany, as part of its growing worldwide customer service network, particularly for clients in Europe. “AdvanFort has made a substantial investment in the future of our clients in Germany and the rest of Northern Europe by inaugurating our office in Hamburg, the maritime crossroad in that region, thus ensuring that we are closer to our customers,” said company President William H. Watson.
AdvanFort to Aid Voluntary USCG Amver Program
Maritime security company AdvanFort announced Wednesday that it has volunteered for service in the piracy-infested waters in and around the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean as part of the U.S. Coast Guard-coordinated Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (Amver), whose members assist any nearby vessel in distress. The AdvanFort fleet which has vessels strategically positioned in key sea lanes surrounding the High Risk Area (HRA)…
AdvanFort Earns Cypress Private Ship Security Certificate
The Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS) has licensed the AdvanFort Company, a world-leading provider of maritime security solutions for the commercial shipping industry, to supply the services of armed and unarmed escort guards on those of its flagged vessels transiting piracy high-risk areas, it was announced today. The decision by Cypriot authorities comes just six months following similar…
AdvanFort Appoints New Business Development Director
The AdvanFort Company signed on Axel Tuetken, the former country president in Tokyo for Maersk Line and Safmarine, as its business development director in Northern Europe…
AdvanFort Floats Past Floating Armory Debate
As international controversy continues about the “wheres,” “whys” and “how much” of maritime piracy in key international shipping areas, an important debate now focuses on the use of “floating armories” in efforts to restore security on the high seas. In particular, private security companies relying on unregulated floating armories—meant to avoid arms smuggling laws when they lay offshore ports in the Red Sea…
AdvanFort President Addresses Ransom and Piracy
"The revelation this week that the owner of an Algerian cargo ship whose crew was held by Somali pirates paid them $2.6 million in ransom is yet another indication that the rewards these denizens reap for their illegal, life-threatening work remain a serious stumbling block to ending maritime organized crime," AdvanFort Company President and COO William H. Watson said. “Those ship owners and operators…
Former Congress Lawyer to Serve as AdvanFort Legal Counsel
AdvanFort Company said attorney Sheila R. Schreiber has come onboard as its in-house legal counsel. Schreiber brings experience in the private and public sectors.
Counter-Piracy Firm AdvanFort Now SAMI Accredited
AdvanFort receives key “green light” accreditation in the Stage 1 process from Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI). The company says it has achieved…
AdvanFort Appoints Business Development Manager
AdvanFort appointed Dimitrios Angelopoulos, a retired Hellenic Navy submarine commander, as its new business development manager. Before coming to AdvanFort, Mr. Angelopoulos worked for Hellenic Shipyards S.A. as the project manager for the 214-type submarine contract with the Hellenic Navy. A Hellenic Naval Academy graduate, he has an Executive MBA degree from the University of Piraeus and an MBA degree from the University of Louisville. As a career submarine officer, Mr.
Will Watson joins AdvanFort as President
Maritime professional will lead the next generation of global security solutions. The AdvanFort Company today announced that maritime professional William Hughes (Will) Watson has joined the company as president. Will comes to AdvanFort from the Office of the Maritime Administrator of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) where he has been Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs and Special Agent since 2009.