AdvanFort International, Inc. 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.”

Tags: AdvanFort Company