Private maritime security company ESC Global Security (ESCGS) has received accreditation from Germany's Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), granting the company's personnel the authority to protect the 2,500 vessels registered in the German International Shipping (GIS) fleet.

As a result of the accreditation Tallinn, Estonia-based ESCGS security teams are now allowed aboard German flagged vessels under Section 31 of BAFA's Trade Regulation Code.

Said CEO Jaanus Rahumaegi: "To have our application approved by the German Administration is a game changer for ESCGS. Germany has one of the most stringent PMSC application processes and to have received accreditation is testament to the high standards, training and professionalism of our security teams."

Germany's accreditation means that ESCGS is now able protect the crews and ships of 27 flags, including Belgium, Estonia, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Croatia.

The Panama Maritime Authority accredited ESC Global Security in March, in what marked the first PMSC licence issued under the new Panama Administration.