West Africa / Gulf of Guinea

Nautilus provides security escort vessel solutions to support safe vessel transit in high-risk and sensitive maritime environments, offering an additional layer of protection through controlled, coordinated offshore security operations, exclusively within the West Africa High Risk Area (HRA). SEVs operate in close proximity to the client's vessel, acting as both a visible deterrent and a rapid-response asset throughout the transit.

Due to local legislation and regulatory requirements, services are delivered in cooperation with local armed forces and carefully selected providers operating SEVs under formal agreements (MoU) with national Navies, ensuring full compliance with all applicable certifications and licensing.

Each deployment is structured based on route-specific risk exposure, vessel profile, and operational requirements, with Nautilus leading and coordinating the full escort operation — from planning and asset allocation to real-time execution — ensuring seamless integration between the escort asset and the client's vessel. Continuous communication and situational awareness are maintained throughout the transit, enabling immediate response to any developing threat.

SEVs are equipped and staffed to provide continuous monitoring of the surrounding maritime environment, early detection and deterrence of suspicious approaches, and rapid-response capability in case of escalation, while maintaining close coordination with onboard teams and vessel command. Their presence significantly enhances the vessel's defensive posture within the West Africa HRA, where elevated piracy and security risks require specialized operational expertise.

In the Gulf of Guinea, where regulatory frameworks and threat dynamics differ significantly, Nautilus supports enhanced security arrangements through the deployment of officially authorized naval armed teams onboard client vessels or via security escort vessels (SEVs), with operational coverage across Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Gabon.

Depending on the country of operation, Nautilus can provide armed Navy personnel deployed directly onboard the vessel at anchorage or during port operations, as well as security escort vessels for inbound, standby, and outbound transits, with coverage ranging from coastal zones to extended offshore distances in accordance with local regulations. In several regions, naval teams are embarked directly onboard the protected vessel, delivering a state-backed security presence aligned with national protocols, while escort vessels provide additional protection during transit to and from ports and terminals.

All services are delivered in full compliance with local legislation and operational requirements, in close coordination with national naval authorities and approved service providers. Nautilus works exclusively with carefully selected partners holding formal agreements (MoU) with local Navies, as well as all necessary certifications and licensing, ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient operations across one of the most complex maritime security environments.

Nautilus provides unarmed escort services through the deployment of highly experienced liaison officers in regions where the use of weapons is restricted or not permitted, offering an effective and compliant alternative to armed protection.

Our liaison officers are trained maritime security professionals who integrate seamlessly with the vessel's command and crew, supporting the implementation of all necessary protective measures to enhance the vessel's self-protection and operational readiness. This includes vessel hardening, captain consultancy and crew training, execution of evasive procedures, onboard drills and exercises, as well as the management and optimization of communication protocols.

Operating with a discreet but highly effective presence, liaison officers strengthen onboard awareness, preparedness, and response capability, ensuring that vessels maintain a robust security posture while remaining fully aligned with local regulations and operational requirements.