New firm offers armed guards to shipping lines

By Philip Mwakio

An international security firm, XFOR Security Solutions has pitched camp in Mombasa and is offering armed guards to ships transiting dangerous waters of the Indian Ocean.

XFOR Group CEO, Garry Lincoln-Hope, in an exclusive interview with Move It said they have set up their operations in Mombasa to cater for maritime and hotel sector business.

"We have XFOR placement onboard ships and shipping lines that have entered into a contract with us,’’ he said.

He said their guards have military background and include British and Kenyan ex-soldiers.

‘‘Recognised as a market leader and constantly striving to deliver innovative, pioneering and intelligent security solutions , XFOR has revolutionized the industry and sets the standards in provision of private security services,’’ the CEO added.

self-defense

In the meantime, more governments are authorising their merchant ships to carry weapons for self-defense as Somalia-based pirates step up the tempo and reach of their operations pillaging international shipping across an ever-widening arc from the Gulf of Aden deep into the Indian Ocean.

In recent months, a number of countries have reversed longstanding legal bans or serious restrictions on the direct arming of merchant ships.

The policy change comes in response to the rising number of attacks – a record 199 so far this year. Even though the "success rates" of pirate attacks is falling, ransom rates are rising, doubling in the last year to an average payment of $ 4 milion a ship, according to a law firm that follows the issue.

Similarly, the collective cost of naval anti-piracy operations is rising, too, for governments providing force protection. The anti-piracy mission – of the EU, Nato, the US and scores of small nations – is an annual budget bill approaching $2 billion.