News

Following the pirate attacks of recent months and
also last year against vessels in the Gulf of Guinea and along the West
African Coast, the Togolese Government has reached an agreement with
security companies for the provision of armed guards to vessels at
anchorage in the port of Lome – Togo (LFW).

The main security company – Ocean and Land Security (OLS) – is a member of the Groupe Gato, Budd’s Togolese representative.
OLS has provided us with the following information and recommendations
about the security measures that have been adopted collectively by the
Togo and its neighbours, and which concern Lome:

1. In Togo, the ISPS code is implemented at level 1.

2. The Togolese National Navy has recently received special training
from the French and American Armed Forces on combatting pirates.

3. OLS has an agreement with the Togolese Army to supply vessels with armed guards.

4. It is henceforth mandatory for all vessels to apply for clearance before performing STS operations in Togolese waters.

5. In order to obtain clearance, it is also mandatory for vessels to
nominate local Agents in the Port of Lome. The Compagnie Maritime
d’Agence et d’Affrètement (CM2A) is ever ready to handle this task
efficiently.

6. Vessels which have duly obtained this clearance will be subjected to a
flat anchorage fee of Euro 1,525.50 per 15 days, whereas vessels which
contravene these regulations will be fined.

7. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

For the security and safety of your vessel in Togolese territorial
waters, the following instructions have been given by the Togolese naval
authorities (OLS’ partner). Vessels and their Masters are under the
obligation to respect them.

A – What you have to do:

a) When dropping anchor, your vessel should be about 3-4NM from Benin
and Ghana’s territorial waters. This will give the Togolese Navy Patrol
Boats sufficient time and distance to chase any attacking pirates.

b) Your vessel must be equipped with DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
radio to enable Togo Navy to identify her quickly in case of an attack.

c) To respect the normal communication procedures during Pirate attacks, i.e. radio the call "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"

B – What you are not authorized to do:

a) Never to establish any relationship with the fishermen, in
particular with the fishermen from the neighbouring sea waters other
than the Togolese sea waters or with the fishermen from Togo who do not
have any registration number on their fishing boats.

b) Avoid entering into any illegal relationships/business with the
shipping agencies and/or their staff. Do not have any dealings with the
agents without the knowledge of the port authorities.

It should be noted that a penalty/fine will be imposed on any vessel
which fails to follow any of the above regulations which exist to ensure
the safety and security of the Master, crew members, cargo and the
vessel itself.

LOME PORT TECHNICAL INFORMATION

– The secured anchorage area is 1NM from the West African Gas pipeline and 6NM from the breakwater.

Radio Communication:

• Lome Port has a VHF station which transmits on channels 16, 14, 12 day and night.
• A radio homing transmitter transmits on 379 kHz.
• Signal "LME” Pos.: 06° 10’N and 01° 16, 3’ East.
• Lome has a Radio Coast Station; working frequencies are 500 and 472 kHz.
• Call signal "5VA".
• VHF Radiotelephone on channel 16
• Medium wave telephone on 2182 kHz when requested.
• The Togolese Navy has a VHF station working on channels 16, 10 day and night

Ship Arrival Notification:

• Ships agents are to be informed as early as possible of vessels’ expected arrival time in Lome.
• Ships have to call the Togolese Navye and Lome port control before dropping anchor.
• The ETA telegram should contain:
• The ship’s particulars;
• The quantity of cargo to be discharged/loaded as well as the daughter/mother ship.
• ETA notification can also be sent by telex directly to the port. Telex no. 5243 TGPORT TO (or Fax).

OLS is a private company which has a special contract with the Togolese
Armed Forces by virture of which it is able to provide an elite mixed
brigade of four armed guards, including personnel from the Navy, Police,
and Gendarmerie (Military Police) to vessels.

OLS complies with the BIMCO Guardcon Guidelines and Contract for the
Employment of Security Guards on board vessels, providing at least one
guard who speaks English and acting in accordance with the Guardcon  Rules for Use of Force (RUF) as established by the BIMCO sub-committee
and approved by most P&I Clubs (see IMO Circulars 1405 and 1406).

OLS advise that they will be happy to provide quotations upon request.

OLS, c/o Groupe Gato, Rond Point Port de Lome,Place des 4 Etoiles, Lome –
TOGO ; Tel. +228 22 27 94 57 /22 71 94 77, Fax: +228 22 27 94 62

Contacts:

AMEGNIDO Prosper Gato: CEO : +228 9004 1110

KOUDEMON Mawuli: Deputy : +228 9031 5603 (24hrs/7days)

ols@ocean-land-security.com; www.ocean-land-security.com

amegnido@groupegato.com

mawuli.koudemon@groupegato.com