Media contact:
Bob Watters, SSA Marine, Seattle
(206) 654-3575

SSA Marine safeguards port of Umm Qasr, Iraq with Gurkha security force

SEATTLE-SSA Marine has awarded a sub-contract for security at the port of Umm Qasr in Iraq to Olive Security, a United Kingdom-based company. The USAID-approved sub-contract of six months commenced on October 15 with the arrival of a team of 40 veterans from the Brigade of Gurkhas at the facility.

SSA Marine has been operating the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr since the transfer of control from the British Military on May 22, 2003. In the interim there have been sporadic security issues at the facility, including looting and unwanted gate access activities.

"With the arrival of the Gurkha force we have solidified the security situation at the terminal," said Bob Watters, vice president, SSA Marine, who is overseeing the project. "As Umm Qasr is the major point of entry for Iraq, the efficient management of the port is extremely important to Iraq's resurgence. In our view port management not only means cargo handling and productivity but also the safety of the people, the operation and cargo. The addition of this new Gurkha force allows us to provide the level of port security required and expected from all involved including the cargo interests."

Cargo handling operations at the port of Umm Qasr include humanitarian aid, reconstruction and commercial cargo. SSA Marine also oversees the current regularly scheduled ferry service bringing Iraqi passengers returning from Dubai.

The Gurkha contingent is now housed on the facility grounds in USAID-supplied modular housing alongside SSA Marine's own management team of 12. At the completion of the current contract period there is the potential for renewal, depending on the security environment and needs at that time.

About SSA Marine

SSA Marine (www.ssamarine.com), the most experienced U.S. operator of port facilities around the world, was the successful bidder of a contract from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to manage the operation of the port for the first year. SSA Marine is the largest privately held container terminal operator and cargo handling company in the world. The company operates in 150 locations worldwide, including Panama, Mexico, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand, and employs more than 10,000 employees.

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