UAE: GAC to Provide PirateFence Vessel Protection Technology

GAC Maritime Security has entered into a strategic partnership with Mobile Defense Systems LLC to provide PirateFence anti-grapple razor wire to protect vessels from attacks by sea criminals.

This marks the latest addition to GAC Maritime Security’s expanding portfolio of protective solutions for vessel owners and operators seeking to put in place a non-lethal, multi-layered risk mitigation system.

PirateFence is a modular-based perimeter protection system with an innovative anti-climb and grapple-resistant component. The coil is applied in sections to avoid any attempts made by attackers to peel the system away in its entirety; a solution to a common problem with many existing systems. It fortifies a vessel against a system failure and buys more time for the crew to counter any threat.

The system uses Razor Ribbon razor wire with a galvanized steel core and sharp razor blade-like edges, but easy-to-use ‘roll’ design ensures that the risk of crew injury is virtually eliminated during installation or transportation of the cylinder units. The entire PirateFence system is purpose-designed to withstand harsh salt-water conditions.

GAC Maritime Security, Powered by AKE, is partnership between global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC Group and AKE Group. Christer Sjödoff, Group Vice President, GAC Solutions, says, “Razor wire or high-grade concertina wire is recommended as a key defensive solution by the IMO’s ‘Best Management Practices’ guidelines for defending against sea crime. It is an important vessel-hardening tool, providing a strong deterrent for potential attackers and anyone trying to breach the vessel perimeter. This is an important partnership for GAC Maritime Security and a valuable addition to the range of protective solutions that we offer.”

This strategic partnership with Mobile Defense Systems LLC is the latest in a series of ventures for GAC Maritime Security, formerly GAC Protective Solutions. Earlier this year, GAC Maritime Security teamed up with non-lethal defense system provider Unifire to offer its SEASERPENT Anti-Pirate Water Cannon System, along with SPS Citadel Access Protection from Intelligent Engineering (IE).

Rick Filon, Director of Maritime Security at GAC, adds, “In commercial shipping, there is currently undue reliance on armed guards on vessels transiting through high-risk areas, which is an unsustainable long-term solution. Having a multi-layered protective strategy, with a range of integrated anti-sea crime devices, combined with access to the latest intelligence, preparation, education and training, is the most effective defense system, ensuring that we are deterring sea crime, rather than reacting to it.”

GAC Maritime Security recently published a new position paper entitled ‘Sea Crime: Replacing The Fear’. The paper called for owners and operators to adopt a more systematic, multi-layered approach to sea defense, instead of an over-reliance on armed guarding services as the industry standard for vessel protection.