Espada to consult on countering pirates

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Espada Logistics and Security Group announced plans to offer security consulting services to maritime companies operating in the Gulf of Aden.

Texas-based Espada says that despite the growing international attention, including the deployment of NATO, EU and the multinational Combined Task Force 150 warships to the Gulf of Aden, piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a significant threat to the maritime industry.

Espada, a security and logistics contractor, plans to expand its operations to the Gulf of Aden and offer maritime shipping companies on-site security and consulting services.

"This was a natural fit for us, as we already had a large roster of ex-Special Forces personnel with anti-piracy and anti-insurgent operations experience," Jim Jorrie, Espada Logistics and Security Group president, said in a statement.

"Our desire is to avoid a conflict in the first place, but if necessary our highly trained and experienced team members can quickly and successfully defend a customer's assets from a pirate attack."