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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nottingham, UK – 3 February 2026 Salama Fikira International has today formally reaffirmed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant , pledging to uphold the Covenant’s principles and support the Armed Forces community in every aspect of its business. The company’s pledge — signed on 17 September 2024 — commits Salama Fikira International to ensuring that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families face no disadvantage in the provision of commercial and public services, consistent with the Covenant’s core principles. The Armed Forces Covenant is the UK’s enduring pledge that those who serve or have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly, with respect and understanding for the sacrifices they make for the Nation. It recognises that serving personnel and veterans should not be disadvantaged in everyday life compared with other citizens and that special consideration is appropriate in some circumstances such as injury or bereavement. Salama Fikira International was founded by men with deep roots in military service — individuals who have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces — and this ethos remains central to the company’s identity and purpose. Over the years, the company has contracted and employed hundreds of former Armed Forces personnel from across the globe. While many of these professionals served in the UK Armed Forces, Salama Fikira’s workforce has drawn on a richly diverse international cohort, including personnel from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Ireland, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the United States of America, Poland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Greece, Serbia, India, South Korea, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Seychelles, Denmark, Sweden, the DRC, Ghana, Nigeria, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Philippines, Nepal and many others. This breadth of experience reflects the company’s belief in the value that military-trained individuals bring to organisational resilience, leadership, and operational excellence. Salama Fikira’s Armed Forces Covenant pledge explicitly recognises the value that serving personnel, both Regular and Reserve, veterans, and military families contribute to its business and to the wider community and commits to publicising these principles through corporate literature and channels while inviting feedback from the broader Armed Forces community. In addition to its organisational pledge, Salama Fikira and Lt. Col. Thorpe OBE (Rtd) continues to support military activities and engagement in the UK, including ongoing and direct support of serving Royal Marines and The British Army , as well as veterans. Thorpe also continues to provide orientation and familiarisation briefings in Kenya to visiting UK Armed Forces personnel. This includes active support to aspiring members of UK Armed Forces, a number of whom have successfully transitioned from civilian to military personnel. In addition Thorpe has successfully swum the English Channel twice in a four-man veteran’s amputees team, where the monies raised went to charities that directly support military veterans and their families. This engagement further reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining robust ties with the Armed Forces and supporting defence-related endeavours at both community and institutional levels. About Salama Fikira Group SF Group is a unique company. At its heart it has a core of driven men and women who desire to deliver quality over quantity, to temper risk against reality, fear against fantasy and threats against vulnerabilities. SF Group delivers temporal risk management with the lowest possible footprint and profile, that leverages off our unique cultural and market penetration and understanding. We take the business of risk to be central to what we do. We map, understand, rehearse and integrate our support so as to de-risk the environment. We believe that fundamentally risk is all about one thing – people.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nairobi, Kenya — 9 January 2026 — Salama Fikira Group today announced that its Chairman, Conrad Thorpe OBE, has been formally gazetted by the Government of Kenya as an Honorary Warden, a volunteer conservation appointment under the mandate of the Kenya Wildlife Service ( KWS ). The role is conferred by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife and is an operational, service-oriented assignment — not a ceremonial title. Conrad was born and raised in Kenya and grew up immersed in the wildlife-rich landscapes and communities surrounding Nairobi and the greater Tsavo Conservation Area, witnessing firsthand the last free-ranging black rhinoceros in the Tsavo River region in the mid-1970s. He was educated in Nairobi at Loreto Convent Valley Road and Saint Mary’s School before completing tertiary studies in the UK. His early life was marked by close encounters with the natural world, including surviving a near-attack by a Nile crocodile and keeping venomous snakes as a youth, shaping a lifelong commitment to conservation and respect for Africa’s ecosystems. He later pursued a career in the HM Royal Marines, rising from junior ranks to senior officer, serving globally and across several military campaigns, yet always drawn back to Africa. In the 2000s, his passion for wildlife protection and community-linked conservation led him to direct ranger training, operational, and anti-poaching programs in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. He currently serves as Chairman of Salama Fikira, a premium risk management company, and supports community-centred initiatives including a Sikh-philosophy-driven “Zero Hunger for Langar” school feeding program, while also serving as a director of Tsavo Trust, reinforcing his belief that conservation cannot succeed without community engagement. His leadership is grounded in principles of fairness, equality, transparency, human development and sustainable growth, with a clear guiding belief: “without community, you have no conservation.” Honorary Wardens play a frontline role in supporting Kenya’s wildlife protection efforts, reinforcing national priorities to conserve biodiversity, combat wildlife crime, and strengthen resilience in key ecosystems. The appointment reflects Salama Fikira’s long-term commitment to conservation and sustainable development across East Africa. A Practical Conservation Role with Legal Authority As an Honorary Warden, Mr. Thorpe will work in support of KWS across enforcement, community engagement, and conservation strategy. The position is grounded in the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, and includes a clearly defined set of duties critical to protecting wildlife and habitats. Core Responsibilities Include: Enforcement and Security Supporting KWS efforts to combat wildlife crime, including conducting citizen’s arrests where lawful and surrendering seized illegal trophies to KWS within 24 hours. Conflict Management Assisting in the management of human–wildlife conflict, including participation in Problem Animal Control (PAC), which may include the permitted use of firearms in regulated circumstances. Community Liaison and Education Acting as a bridge between KWS and local communities to strengthen conservation awareness, education, and shared responsibility for wildlife stewardship. Resource Mobilisation Supporting conservation through fundraising and mobilizing national and international partnerships to strengthen protection, research, and community initiatives. Strategic and Technical Support Offering expert guidance in specialized fields that support KWS operations — including veterinary services, piloting, forest conservation, and operational planning. Ecological Monitoring Participating in wildlife censuses, species monitoring, habitat restoration activities, and ecosystem health tracking. Disaster Response Supporting coordinated responses to environmental emergencies, including wildfires and habitat-related disasters. Voluntary Service for the Public Good Honorary Wardens serve on a voluntary basis and receive no salary or remuneration from KWS. Appointments are typically issued for a three-year term, with wardens provided official identification and authorized uniform for use during official duties. Reinforcing Salama Fikira’s Commitment to Conservation Salama Fikira Group has long supported conservation and sustainable development initiatives across East Africa, including efforts that strengthen ecosystem resilience, community-based conservation, and responsible land stewardship. Mr. Thorpe’s appointment reinforces the Group’s belief that conservation is not peripheral to progress — it is foundational to stability, economic prosperity, and intergenerational wellbeing. “This appointment is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Conrad Thorpe OBE, Chairman of Salama Fikira Group. “Kenya’s wildlife heritage is a global treasure, and safeguarding it demands practical action, sustained collaboration, and community partnership. I look forward to serving alongside KWS and supporting efforts that protect both wildlife and the livelihoods that depend on healthy ecosystems.” About Salama Fikira Group SF Group is a unique company. At its heart it has a core of driven men and women who desire to deliver quality over quantity, to temper risk against reality, fear against fantasy and threats against vulnerabilities. SF Group delivers temporal risk management with the lowest possible footprint and profile, that leverages off our unique cultural and market penetration and understanding. We take the business of risk to be central to what we do. We map, understand, rehearse and integrate our support so as to de-risk the environment. We believe that fundamentally risk is all about one thing – people
Salama Fikira is opening enrolments for its 2026 series of Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) courses – designed for individuals and teams who operate in unpredictable or high-risk environments and who want to sharpen their readiness with practical, experience-based skills. Unlike classroom-only courses, our training immerses participants in realistic, scenario-driven exercises led by seasoned security professionals. You’ll learn how to assess risk under pressure, respond decisively during critical incidents, and build the confidence required to operate safely wherever your work takes you. The image here captures something of the realism you will encounter. Whether you’re a journalist, NGO worker, executive traveller, or part of an organisation expanding into complex regions, this is your chance to prepare with one of Africa’s leading risk management teams. Enroll now and experience training that feels real – because in the field, it has to be. Course dates are: February 2026: Wednesday 18 Feb – Friday 20 Feb April 2026: Wednesday 15 Apr – Friday 17 Apr June 2026: Wednesday 17 Jun – Friday 19 Jun August 2026: Wednesday 19 Aug – Friday 21 Aug October 2026: Wednesday 21 Oct – Friday 23 Oct December 2026: Wednesday 16 Dec – Friday 18 Dec Contact Peter at peter.musembi@sf-group.co And check our training resource here .
LONDON 25 November 2025. Moving a low-freeboard, slow-tow oil rig through the Gulf of Guinea -specifically the Equatorial Guinea EEZ and Gabon EEZ – is never routine. The region remains one of the world’s most challenging maritime environments, with persistent piracy threats and complex regulatory requirements. For this operation, Salama Fikira was engaged to provide a risk management solution — one that balanced security, compliance, and operational efficiency without compromising on safety. Comprehensive Planning and Government Engagement From the outset, our team mapped out the security and regulatory landscape to ensure the transit could proceed without unnecessary delay. We secured the required government support, handled all permits and permissions, and ensured every stakeholder involved had clarity on responsibilities and timelines. This groundwork was critical in enabling the tow to begin smoothly and with full compliance in place. Embedded Expertise on the Ground We deployed our own security managers to oversee the operation directly—providing real-time oversight, rapid decision-making, and clear situational awareness throughout. Their presence ensured that no issue, however small, went unmanaged. In addition, we facilitated the provision of a dedicated security escort vessel, adding a strong defensive layer suited to the realities of Gulf of Guinea waters. Strong Client Coordination At every stage, we maintained close coordination with the client. Regular updates, transparent reporting, and direct communication channels kept the operation aligned and adaptable. This partnership-focused approach allowed us to tailor responses quickly and maintain a unified strategy from planning to execution. A Safe Passage Through High-Threat Waters Despite the challenges of towing a vulnerable structure through a piracy-prone region, the operation concluded safely and without incident. The combination of rigorous preparation, embedded security, strong government engagement, and constant client liaison delivered a successful outcome under demanding conditions.
LONDON 24 Aug 2025 — Salama Fikira today announced its attendance at London International Shipping Week 2025 , returning to the global forum after first taking part more than a decade ago at the inaugural and following events. The company’s participation underscores a 20-year track record supporting shipping and, by extension, the freedom of passage on and over international waters. “Shipping is the original and most demanding form of transport—the behemoth of global trade,” said Conrad Thorpe, founder and Chairman of Salama Fikira. “Without the sea, 90% of international trade would cease. Our prosperity and connectedness as human beings exist because of the sea and our clever use of it.” Thorpe’s relationship with the ocean is lifelong and hands-on. “My first passage on a ship was from Mombasa to Southampton as a small child in 1967, with my mother,” he said. “Since then, I’ve operated on the surface, sub-surface, and even above it. I’ve parachuted into it, dived, swum, surfed, fished, and snorkelled in it—sailed and slipped through the dark to save and release crews held hostage on it. I love the sea, and I respect it.” For two decades, Salama Fikira has supported vessel owners, managers, and operators across some of the world’s toughest geographies and most perilous conditions. The company’s work is rooted in deep respect for the officers and crews who wear multiple hats and sail under many flags. “As an active open-water swimmer who’s played, operated, and swum in all the primary oceans, that affinity with the global seas isn’t abstract—it’s practical,” Thorpe added. “It lets us connect with shipping companies because we share the same stake in the sea: safety, continuity, and freedom of movement.” Returning to London in 2025, Salama Fikira looks forward to engaging with the people and organisations for whom shipping has primacy—especially marine vessel owners, managers, and operators. Thorpe and the leaders of Salama Fikira’s maritime team will attend. About Salama Fikira For 20 years, Salama Fikira has supported the shipping community and safeguarded freedom of passage on international waters. The company’s teams have operated alongside crews in challenging environments worldwide, bringing pragmatic experience and an unwavering respect for the sea and those who sail it.
Nairobi and London: 2 June 2025. On the 28th May SF Group proudly observed Paul Sedgeman HSE Day 2025, our annual event dedicated to promoting awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement in health, safety, and environmental standards across all operations. It is not an event handled lightly given the event honours one of our team lost on company operations. Despite the best HSE programs in the world these losses can still occur. It is a salutary reminder to us all that safety is not a checklist. It has to be a mindset central to how we conduct ourselves every single day. This year’s theme, “Health and Safety is a mindset, not a moment,” urged all team members, whether in the company headquarters or out in the field, to recognise every decision, no matter how small, carries consequences that can impact lives, operations, and reputation. The event included reflections on lessons learned in 2024, a presentation by the HSSE Committee led by Michael Likhali, and a renewed emphasis on micro-decisions that lead to macro consequences — from hydration lapses to unchecked operational shortcuts. We also reinforced our Speak Up for Safety policy, reminding all staff that safety is not just about compliance, but about culture. Clear pathways were shared for reporting concerns, including general and anonymous reporting forms accessible via our website and internal intranet. The right attitude and approach to health and safety protects people, enhances performance, helps ensure mission success, and contributes to your peace of mind.
London: 4 April 2025. SF Group has expanded its risk management portfolio of services by adding a comprehensive cyber audit and repair service, otherwise known as Tandao, which is being delivered by its Nairobi based Information and Research team to the company’s East Africa clients and partners. The threat is real, and is rapidly escalating. According to Interpol, ‘it is estimated that in 2023, there was a 23 per cent year-on-year increase in the average number of weekly cyberattacks per organisation in Africa. This average was the highest in the world.’ The rise in digitalisation naturally means a correlating rise in cyber attacks and East African businesses are just as susceptible to attack as any other business around the world. However East Africa businesses should be able to access the same defensive technologies available to other world leading enterprises. SF Group CEO Bruce Lyman noted ‘the threat is real and substantial and so the lines of defence need to be robust as well. The Tandao service is built on frontline technology utilised by UK and US businesses and government departments and is ‘best of breed’ in the cyber sector. We don’t have to settle for second best in the battle against those who want to cripple our businesses but can utilise the same technologies used in Europe and the US to protect our people and our enterprises.’ Tandao will be formally launched on the 17th April 2025 in Nairobi. The event will situate Tandao in the wider risk management suite of services offered by SF Group. Africa GM Harry Atkinson-Clark said ‘Tandao gives you the extra assurance you have covered your bases. SF Group assists companies in managing many aspects of their risk exposure and now we are able to identify and mitigate risks in your cyber environment. If you would like to understand more you are welcome to attend this event.’ Details of the Tandao launch are below and you can register your attendance by following this link .
A Swahili proverb which speaks to integrity is ‘Chema chajiuza, kibaya chajitembeza’ which translates to ‘Good things market themselves; bad things advertise themselves.’ In English we might say “Truth/good will out’. The proverb tells us that attitudes and actions with integrity will be visible and will gain recognition and favour over time. On the other hand, negative qualities are instantly visible. Dishonesty and fraud advertise themselves even as they are being played out. A good thing marketing itself right now is The Blue Company , an East African initiative designed to be a private sector platform by which fraud might be combatted, integrity in business upheld and corruption fought. These are issues which businesses need to address head on. In 2016, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said Kenya lost about US$6 billion to corruption every year and corruption only seems to be getting worse. The 2022 National Ethics and Corruption Survey reveals a trend of increased bribery for accessing public services – people who reported paying bribes rose from 55.9% in 2021 to 64% in 2022. This includes getting business licences, police protection or even access to water and healthcare. Salama Fikira has built its business on a reputation of integrity in all its business dealings and it is pleased to announce its application for membership of The Blue Company has been approved. Salama Fikira CEO noted “it is pleasing to find a group of like minded business people who subscribe to the same principles of ethical behaviour as our own. We are looking forward to working together with The Blue Company and its membership to reinforce a culture of honesty in our business community rather than a culture of greed and dishonesty.” Founder and Chairman Conrad Thorpe OBE agreed. “My aim from the outset was to create a business which stood for integrity and honesty. For nearly twenty years we have conducted business in some of the most difficult environments on the planet and have managed to do so without compromising our core values, but rather standing up to those who would ask us to compromise our principles. Salama Fikira has always stood for integrity and I am pleased that we can continue to convey that message in concert with The Blue Company.”
Salama Fikira is very pleased to announce the appointment of Harry Atkinson-Clark into the newly created position of General Manager – Africa. The position is part of an ongoing drive to ‘double down’ on Africa and is designed to give more focus to the operational aspects of the business. In turn we anticipate the company will be able to provide an extended range of services and an even better depth of customer support. Harry has stepped into the role and is effective in this appointment immediately. While he focuses on operational matters Dylan Evans will address broader strategic and long term matters we are handling across the continent. Harry has been resident in Mombasa with his wife for the last twelve months from where he has been developing and growing The Africa Knowledge Academy , developing well received and effective training courses. It’s been a valuable opportunity to get familiar with the company and its operating environment. Mombasa has also been a very handy place to hone his sailboarding skills. However he will shortly be shifting to Nairobi where he will be better placed to support our clients and partners. Harry comes from a background of UK military, and apart from the usual tours perhaps a standout appointment was to the King’s Royal Guard, Balmoral responsible for providing security and logistic and other support to the Royal Household while in summer residence. Good training for the Salama Fikira household which requires a great capacity for contingency planning for our clients. Harry brings a very human and commercial set of skills to the role and the company looks forward to being part of the growth that we know he will lead. And, as you can see from the photo, Africa is leaching into his DNA already.
Our primary measure of quality relates to our ability to deliver ‘task deployment reliability’ for our partners and customers. Importantly, any shortcoming relating the deployment reliability has the potential to compromise safety, presenting risk of hazards and even potential injury. Needless to say, our health and safety policies, processes and applications are central to the well being of all we engage (staff and customers), and ultimately to the overall health of the business. A reflection of this focus is our annual Health and Safety day named to honour Paul Sedgeman and marked on the 21 May each year. The 2024 Salama Fikira Paul Sedgeman Health and Safety Day theme is “Speak Up For Safety”. “Speak Up for Safety,” underscores the critical importance of proactive communication in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. Speaking up for safety is essential because it empowers individuals to identify and address potential hazards before they escalate into serious incidents. When employees are encouraged to voice their concerns a culture of transparency and accountability is fostered, ultimately leading to a safer workplace for everyone. Employees, consultants and third parties working with Salama Fikira are encouraged to ‘Speak Up For Safety’, by reporting incidents, near misses and non-conformities through SF’s reporting protocols – or verbally to someone that can report it. Through Speaking Up For Safety, standards of service delivery are continuously improved and can potentially even save lives.
ESG can, does and should take all sorts of shapes. It need not be the flamboyant corporate program. Indeed, it should be the reverse – an essential quality in the lives of the company members themselves. A quality which is reflected down, up and across the population of your enterprise. And out into your community. The community a company touches is far broader than the formal corporate one. It’s the community into which all your individuals reach. A case in point is the St Just (United Kingdom) Cricket Club which has been connected to the personal support of one of our team year after year. The support is not trivial – it broadcasts something of the SF Group attitude to those who encourage and support us. The Cornwall T20 team pose ahead of their T20 county competition match v Devon on the newly graded county level pitch.
23 of Kenya’s 47 counties have felt the devastating impact of recent flooding caused by above average rainfall. Urban areas always feel the effects of flooding due to higher runoff areas, reduced vegetation, constrained drainage and the extensive use of vulnerable land. Flooding and other environmental disasters present a growing hazard for urban residents, travellers and businesses. Whatever we might think of an area’s resilience to such events, they are becoming more and more extreme and can overwhelm the best designed, most prepared cities in the world. In high tempo, chaotic and environmentally challenging situations, our presence of mind can falter. Overcome by fear, devastated by loss and incapacitated by the cold it is crucial that we know how to respond effectively and avoid danger or harm. Salama Fikira’s Afrika Knowledge Academy has compiled some top tips for dealing with any flooding: Stay informed. Use trusted sources such as news providers, emergency services announcements and warnings, public warnings and weather apps to allow you to prepare properly and to avoid potential danger. Evacuate Immediately. If there is a flood warning or clear signs of rising water levels, evacuate to higher ground. Make sure that ground is not likely to eventually flood. Know your escape routes off that ground in case you have to move again. Avoid low lying or flood-prone areas. This will reduce the likelihood of becoming trapped by rapidly rising water. Avoid moving water. Six inches of water is enough to knock you down. Moving water can be deceptively forceful. Water that looks calm can be moving rapidly. Flood waters can contain invisible obstacles that can knock you down or trap you. Avoid streams and rivers. Moving around or conducting business near streams and rivers during heavy rainfall is very dangerous due to the risk of rapidly rising water levels and being washed into a larger body of moving water. Re-think your need to be on the roads. Flash flooding can and does occur without warning. Flood waters can tear away the road surface and result in the surface of the road being much more dangerous than you know. Dirt roads are hazardous to drive on when wet and can disable a vehicle by bogging. Do not drive through moving or stationary water. Your vehicle can be washed away by only 30cm of moving water. Avoid the temptation to drive through, even if the water looks stationary. It is difficult to gauge the depth and a vehicle’s power can cut out in water, disabling electric powered windows and locks, making a flooded vehicle near impossible to escape. Be cautious of electricity. If your home or premises is flooded, turn off electricity at the mains to avoid potential electric shocks or even fires caused by water coming into contact with electrical components. Also be wary of collapsed power lines touching bodies of water in the streets. Test depth. If you must move through a body of water, use a stick or long item to check for depth or unexpected submerged objects. Communicate. Maintain communications with friends and family to ensure they are safe. Have the correct numbers saved on your phone for emergency response if required. National Emergency response toll-free line- 0800 721571 Nairobi County Disaster Management Team- +254 202344599 +254 202222181 Kenya Red Cross emergency number- 1199 Nairobi Fire Service- +254 20 2222181 The Afrika Knowledge Academy’s mission is to provide individuals and businesses with simple, relevant and practical training designed to maintain safety and security. With enhanced knowledge, we are able to avoid, detect, delay, respond and recover from potential threats to our safety. Training will help you apply these behaviours to the real world.
The Chairman of Salama Fikira also fulfils another, albeit divergent role, also as Chairman. This is for Zero Hunger With Langar (ZHWL). ZHWL is an NGO whose singular intent is to support and feed those who are most in need in Kenya and more widely across Africa. Africa is the hungriest continent in the world with more children going without sufficient sustenance on earth, than anywhere else. Ensuring that no one is hungry is an ambition that we would like to accelerate across the continent of Africa. This continent is my home and it is where I was born. These people are my people. Together with the ZHWL team, I was able to fulfil additional duties in creating the purpose, while assisting in the local messaging and intent of the feeding programme, to the Enkongu Narok school, in Kajiado County on Saturday 13th January 2023. The intent was to feed approximately 400 children from the school. However intense and persistent, El Niño rainfall prevented many of the children from reaching their school, which resulted in a reduced feeding programme of 140, on the day. Nonetheless, the event would never have taken place where it not for the huge efforts and support made by the Board and the team of Zero Hunger With Langar and the kind and generous support of the Amrit Foundation and family. It follows that what is good for the children’s stomachs, is good for our souls. Conrad Thorpe OBE Chairman of Salama Fikira & Chairman of Zero Hunger With Langar Nairobi
Salama Fikira has been notified of the Private Security Regulatory Authority’s (PSRA) intention to cancel its security license in Legal Notice No. PSRA/001/2024. Salama Fikira does not actually have a license which can be cancelled. Anticipating there may be business opportunities which would require licensing the company has submitted applications several times since the Private Security Regulation Act (2016) came into effect. However a license has not been issued. Reasons for non issuance have never been provided. Salama Fikira has a strict compliance programme. The company is committed to working with the PSRA to ensure compliance and good governance in relation to the issuance of a license and in any related matters. Salama Fikira was founded in Kenya in 2005 and currently operates in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The organisation has no issue relating to its relevant licences and welcomes dialogue and transparency on this matter. Bruce Lyman Chief Executive Officer Salama Fikira Group 6 Feb 2024
30 January 2024 London. Salama Fikira Group, a leading global security and risk management firm, today underscored the resurgence of Somali piracy in the strategically vital maritime corridors of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, against the backdrop of increasing Houthi-led, Iranian-sponsored attacks in the region. Despite a perceived decline in piracy threats, recent incidents indicate the menace has not been eradicated and remains a formidable challenge. LT COL Conrad Thorpe OBE (retd), Board Chairman of Salama Fikira, emphasises, “The hijacking of a bulk carrier off the coast of Somalia on the 14th of December is the first since 2017. While unusual, it is not surprising given the Somali piracy capability has never been relinquished.” Thorpe warned that the tactics employed, including the use of a mother ship, enable pirates to operate at sea for extended periods and at considerable distances, catching ship owners off guard. The Somali pirates, once a significant concern between 2008 and 2016, saw a decline in activity due to concerted international efforts addressing both security and economic issues in the region. SF Group, with unparalleled experience in dealing with Somali piracy targets, played a crucial role during this period, supporting thousands of vessels with highly trained armed and unarmed security teams. Crispin Kennedy, Director, and head of SF Group’s maritime division noted “SF Group developed a robust maritime security capability honed during the initial period of Somali pirate activity. The company takes pride in delivering the highest standards of protection with particular regard for the protection of human rights. With our unique experience gained in the region we continue to develop ship protection strategies for the benefit of our partners and clients.” The recent uptick in Somali piracy coincides with Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, following the group’s 26 incidents since November 2023. International naval presence in the Indian Ocean has recently diminished due to diverging priorities with emerging Red Sea threats. This shift in resources is inadvertently providing an opportunity for Somali-based Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) to intensify their activities. Thorpe explains, “The pirates’ activity through December and January targeting both shipping vessels and commercial ships, indicates we are going to see more of this sort of criminal activity over the next few months as naval interests are increasingly distracted by the Houthi threat.” SF Group recognises the pirates are expanding their reach into the Arabian Sea and northern Indian Ocean, targeting ships away from the perceived Houthi threat area. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHoA) have issued warnings regarding a pirate action group operating offshore Somalia, suggesting the potential use of a mother ship for maritime-related crimes. Kennedy notes, “SF Group’s maritime division continues to bring its unique experience to bear on behalf of our partners and clients. The recent incidents underscore the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to counter the evolving threat of Somali piracy. Shipowners should be alert to pirate activity at long distances from the Somalia coast.” SF Group advises stakeholders, including ship owners and operators, to remain vigilant, implement robust security measures, and collaborate with international maritime security efforts to ensure the safety of their crews, vessels and cargos. –oo0oo– For media enquiries, please contact: Crispin Kennedy Mob: +254 702 114 144 Email: crispin.kennedy@salama-fikira.com About Salama Fikira Group Salama Fikira is an international risk management company founded in Kenya in 2005. The company was started by Conrad Thorpe OBE when he returned home to Kenya after a diverse career in the UK Armed Forces. Today the company supports clients in over 50 countries around the world enabling the clients to operate in challenging and complex environments. The company has provided maritime security services since 2006 and supports a range of shipping clients including Global Energy Companies, private shipping companies, and support to offshore projects. Crispin Kennedy is a Director of Salama Fikira Group and a Board member of the Geneva based International Code of Conduct Association looking to further protection of human rights in the security Industry.