Strickland Services selects MariTrace for granular maritime security and tracking

- Ten Strickland logistics support vessels have been equipped with Mercury tracking devices for seamless, secure positioning and asset protection in high-risk waters

MariTrace, a global leader in maritime intelligence and ship-tracking technology, announces a strategic partnership with Strickland Services Limited, a Nigerian-owned offshore logistics organisation and specialist provider of maritime security vessels, effective immediately.

With over 25 years of experience operating in some of the world’s most volatile waters, Strickland Services require the most secure, consistent and reliable positional data for its clients, all around the world. The new collaboration sees ten of Strickland’s logistics support vessels being equipped with Mercury – MariTrace’s innovative, encrypted tracking solution designed for uninterrupted vessel visibility in real-time – even in AIS black spots.

Operating globally including waterways like the Gulf of Guinea, a region with one of the ocean’s most volatile maritime corridors due to ongoing piracy and geopolitical instability, Strickland’s fleet plays a critical role in protecting offshore assets and personnel for blue-chip energy clients including Shell, ExxonMobil and Total. With strategic operations based in Port Harcourt and Lagos, Strickland delivers armed escort, platform security and subsea support globally across offshore oil and gas waterways.

In response to the ongoing risks in these challenging waters, Strickland has integrated Mercury – a plug-and-play, highly granular tracking device developed by MariTrace – to strengthen its operational oversight and client assurance. By using Mercury, Strickland’s crews, clients and command teams can be assured of seamless tracking and data continuity, confidentially.

Mercury, designed and launched by MariTrace in 2024, is a compact, discreet and powerful onboard tracking device that continues to transmit positional data even when AIS coverage drops or is turned off – a common challenge in remote or hostile waters. The system detects connectivity loss, caches data locally and automatically syncs with the MariTrace interface upon reconnection, ensuring that vessel movements are never lost. Insurance and management companies can also continue to track their own vessels, without public knowledge, with explicit approval via the MariTrace platform.

Thomas Owen, CEO of MariTrace, comments, “Strickland Services operate in some of the world’s highest-risk territories, where traditional tracking systems are simply not reliable enough. Mercury provides the very best peace of mind, particularly in these regions – ensuring uninterrupted operational oversight, improved response coordination and ultimately, keeping vessels and crews safer. We’re proud to support Strickland’s mission for the highest standard of safety and accountability in offshore logistics, with technology designed for the realities of modern maritime security.”

Incorporating Mercury across Strickland’s fleet allows for real-time global positioning updates at one-minute intervals by default, with the option to increase transmission frequency when required. The system integrates with onboard tracking systems like GPS as well as AIS networks via NMEA 0183/2000, delivering highly secure, granular data – delivered live to the MariTrace interface or API, which is accessible to authorised users such as operations managers, insurers or security teams.

The AIS data collected onboard by each vessel is also displayed directly in the MariTrace interface. This gives shore-based operators live information on the position of the host vessel, as well as a real-time view of nearby AIS targets, including support vessels – even in AIS black spots – which significantly enhances maritime domain awareness.

Temidayo Amure, ICT Coordinator of Strickland Services Limited, adds, “At Strickland, safety, security and visibility are non-negotiable. Our clients operate in some of the world’s most volatile maritime zones, and they rely on us to protect their assets with the best tools available. Mercury was the perfect choice for us to install across key vessels – thanks to its real-time, reliable tracking. MariTrace delivered exactly what we need: full visibility, even when AIS drops out. For us, it’s about leadership, accountability and giving clients total peace of mind.”

For chartered vessels, Mercury positions can be shared with other MariTrace users to offer the ultimate support and monitoring, when permission is granted. This means that if a Strickland vessel is supporting a third-party vessel and they have a MariTrace account, they can access these Mercury positions and provide a more cohesive service to their clients who are already utilising the platform.

In addition to real-time tracking, Mercury’s integration with the MariTrace platform provides Strickland with a full suite of maritime intelligence tools – including route risk analysis, geofencing alerts, maritime incident feeds and historical data going back to 2015. This maximises fleet monitoring, as well as strategic decision-making, regulatory compliance and emergency readiness.

With piracy risks and other illicit threats persisting on the western coast of Africa and beyond, clients are demanding ever-higher standards of protection. MariTrace and Strickland’s partnership is a new benchmark, setting the standard for vessel security oversight in high-risk waters. Mercury marks a significant step forward in tactical certainty and greater confidence for logistics support fleets tasked with safeguarding energy infrastructure around the world.

■ Contact: MariTrace www.maritrace.com