World renowned maritime security specialist Ambrey Risk has been awarded accreditation to work with Cyprus-flagged vessels.
The UK-based security company, which won a Chamber of Commerce award for business growth last year, became the first UK maritime security company to be granted official accreditation from the Cyprus Maritime Authority, on 13th February 2013, sanctioning the services of armed and unarmed escort guards on vessels transiting piracy high risk areas.
Ambrey Risk was quick to react to the publication of The Protection of Cyprus Ships Against Acts of Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts Law of 2012 (Law 77/2012) which was published in the official gazette of the Republic of Cyprus on 15 June 2012. Business Management Director James Gasson-Hargreaves commented: “At Ambrey Risk, we intend to set the benchmark for regulatory compliance and professionalism in maritime security, so achieving this accreditation highlights our constant stride for compliance - and reassures clients with the confidence that Ambrey adheres to the highest standards of professionalism recognised in both the UK and internationally.”
The review process of the Cyprus Administration is overseen by The Department of Merchant Shipping, Kyllinis Street, Mesa Geitonia, 4007 Lemesos, Cyprus. James Gasson-Hargreaves continued: “With this new legislation, all paperwork will already be with the authorities, and therefore granting approval for a team to come aboard can be achieved swiftly and efficiently. We are delighted that the Cyprus authorities have taken this positive step in its determination to ensure to ship owners and operators guarantee that reputable companies with sound infrastructure are employed on board Cyprus registered ships. With Cyprus’s new measure, any Cyprus accredited Private Military Security Company (PMSC) will have a flag state reference, proving to new clients and the industry that its operations and structure have been assessed by the competent administration. This promises to be an advance in aiding shipping companies to identify reliable, professional private providers of armed security.”
John Thompson, Commercial Director of Ambrey Risk, added: “We have a team dedicated to keeping abreast of new regulations, and Cyprus flagged vessels are very important to us, so we are pleased that this accreditation award will show we remain agile and responsive to the needs of shipping and their account management with our own uncompromising standards and attention to detail.”