Feral Jundi

   This is cool and maybe the guys from Espada can come back to the blog and fill in some of the blanks about this.  Specifically, if there are any new contracts they are eyeballing or filling in the near future.  It would be great to get some of our unemployed security contractors out there working, and this kind of stuff is a perfect fit for this industry.

   I would also like to hear more about Mangamaire Limited, and get the low down on the actual capability and possible connections this will give Marque Star and Espada.  Having funding support is a big plus, and that is great news for these companies. –Matt

Edit: 04/10/2010 – Check out the comments below.  Espada does not have a joint venture with anyone, and thanks to Jim for making that correction.

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MARQUE STAR and ESPADA to Develop the New Multi-Billion Dollar Maritime Security Industry

March 24, 2010

Mangamaire Limited to Provide Funding Support for MARQUE STAR and ESPADA Marine Services to Fill Gap in Global Maritime Security Services Where Taxpayer-Funded Warships Are Not Mandated to Serve

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–U.S.-based companies MARQUE STAR and ESPADA hit stride with the acquisition of a flotilla of vessels, early industry customer adoption, and private sector investor support to tackle complex global maritime security and logistics issues. Mangamaire Limited is to provide funding for U.S.-based companies MARQUE STAR and ESPADA Marine Services. The companies provide complementary services that tackle complex global maritime security and logistics issues. This joint venture will allow the organizations the ability to quickly bring on additional marine equipment for the purpose of engaging in a host of anti-piracy and free international sea lane missions for the international maritime community.

“MARQUE STAR and ESPADA will provide the most advanced private security service available. Our services will cover the range of maritime client needs such as logistics, oil platform support, and merit salvage”

Private Industry Interest Reaches Critical Mass for MARQUE STAR and ESPADA

“MARQUE STAR and ESPADA will provide the most advanced private security service available. Our services will cover the range of maritime client needs such as logistics, oil platform support, and merit salvage,” says Greg Stenstrom, Director of MARQUE STAR. While billion dollar sovereign warships have been actively patrolling the danger zones of the world oceans, piracy continues to escalate, and the private maritime industry is seeking customized services to protect their assets at their own expense and not that of tax payers. ESPADA will be leading the charge in anti-piracy escort services with the acquisition of additional armed fast escort vessels charged with direct protection of client vessels. MARQUE STAR will fill the existing voids in blue water sea lane and fisheries protection, military sealift and offshore aviation support, and diving, salvage and underwater mining. Together, MARQUE STAR and ESPADA create a synergy in the private maritime protection and logistics industry that has been lacking previously.

Global Maritime Security and Logistics Market Begins Privatization

As anti-piracy and maritime logistical needs continue to evolve, MARQUE STAR and ESPADA aim to fill the gaps in piracy protection created by the overextension of international navies. “Through MARQUE STAR and ESPADA, we are assembling a world class team of executives from the private security, U.S. military, private sector and government agencies to provide a credible business sector driven alternative to the standard approach of maritime security,” said Stenstrom.

ESPADA Marine Services Armed Fast Escort Vessels

ESPADA provides an escort vessel to any ship underway in the Gulf of Aden or northwest Indian Ocean, operating from Mombasa to the Red Sea. Their armed fleet of 22-meter and 33-meter fast escort vessels stand ready to escort with a range in excess of 2,100 nautical miles. ESPADA’s vessels are not limited to near-shore routes. The IRTC or other custom routes present no problem.

MARQUE STAR Blue Water Sea-Lane Protection

MARQUE STAR is building toward a future of private sea lane protection and supply chain support. A variation of the convoy protection concept is sea lane protection. Sea lane protection and running (moving) anti-piracy safe-zones are effective when they are properly implemented and fully committed to. Range between ships is a function of the amount of area that can be surveilled by MARQUE STAR UAVs and response time of the fast boats. The approximate effective range of influence to actually intercept a hostile vessel is 50nm, which would permit a distance between MARQUE STAR “mother ships” of 100nm. As an example, in practical application the sphere of Somali pirate influence on the east coast of Africa is approximately 2,000 nm and another 500 nm in the Gulf of Aden. To effectively sustain Sea Lane protection, twenty three (23) to twenty five (25) ships, and accompanying fast boats and UAVs would be required. “A moving perimeter is much preferred to a call for help,” says Agbeli Ameko, MARQUE STAR VP of International Business Development who emphasizes that its operations focus on meeting a threat on the horizon with clear rules of engagement to mitigate risks.

MARQUE STAR Blue Water Logistical Support Services

The scope of protection and security covers moving assets (ships), fixed assets (oil platforms), and physical property (islands, shorelines, underwater oil fields, fisheries, etc.), and maritime supply chain management support.

MARQUE STAR www.marquestar.com MARQUE STAR focuses on securing sea-borne assets and property for the private sector. Their escort ships include patrol, recovery and quick reaction vessels, the crews of which are drawn from former U.S. military. They are prepared to use unarmed and armed response procedures including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), aerostats, and fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. MARQUE STAR has an active R&D program to provide new maritime surveillance and non-lethal deterrence technologies to expand out offerings to the maritime community.

ESPADA Marine Services www.EspadaServices.com Their team members fully understand applicable international laws and adhere to strict rules of engagement (ROE) designed to provide maximum protection of our clients while deterring conflicts at sea. Each team member is hand selected from a vast pool of highly qualified individuals, many of whom are former U.S. military personnel, with specialized training in security and special-operations tactics. The principle goal of their teams is to focus on effective ways to discourage criminal elements from initiating hostile acts while maintaining a safe standoff distance for the client vessel. It will always be ESPADA’s prime objective to effectively safeguard vessels and crews in their care while exercising the utmost caution in the use of force.

Contacts

MARQUE STARAgbeli Ameko, 720-544-1770Senior Vice President of International Business Developmentaameko@marquestar.comorJim Everett, 512-736-9887Vice President of Business Development, Energy & Shippingjeverett@marquestar.comor

ESPADA Marine ServicesLance Lira, 210-946-4600Global Director of Public AffairsLLira@ESPADAServices.com

Link to Story here.