Diaplous Group

SECURITY SOLU

The Diaplous Group is a security, defence and crisis management company, providing both maritime and land-based holistic risk management solutions on a global scale. CCO Pelagia Chatzikyriakou, Senior Risk Management Analyst Amelia Rocos and Chief of Business Development Nikos Georgopoulos told Hannah Barnett more.

The name Diaplous comes from the ancient Greek word diáplous ( διάπλους ) which means the action of crossing the sea safely. Safety and security are paramount at the company,

both in the services it provides and the way it operates.

“Our mission is to support and mentor our clients in becoming the expert in holistic security risk and crisis management,” said

UTIONS AT SEA

Amelia Rocos, Senior Risk Management Analyst. “Through identifying our clients’ threats and eliminating their risks and vulnerabilities, we support them in becoming more stable, productive and efficient.”

The background

Diaplous Group began as a private maritime security company in 2010, providing security services to the owners and operators of vessels in High-Risk areas such as the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Guinea, to pro -

tect them against piracy, armed gangs and maritime crime. Diaplous has since grown into a global leader in maritime risk management, having pioneered and achieved some of the industry’s greatest milestones and missions, including successfully supporting the journeys of some of the world’s largest offshore vessels (FPSOs, FLNGs, etc).

“Diaplous was established with the cumulative experience of its senior management, all of whom have accomplished backgrounds with over 30 years of experience

in the Navy, special forces and counterintelligence,” said CCO Pelagia Chatzikyriakou. “Based on their combined experience, expertise and knowledge, Diaplous has the proven capabilities to address and manage all levels of security risks and to provide holistic security solutions and services for any and all circumstances and assets.”

From offering armed or unarmed security guards in the Indian Ocean High-Risk Area (HRA) and security escort vessels in the Gulf of Guinea HRA, to assessing, planning and implementing holistic security risk management to both land and maritime clients, Diaplous uses its expertise, knowledge and capabilities to provide the full-range support from consultancy to on-the-ground implementation. Located across ten international offices, Diaplous Group boasts an impressive client base of over 940 shipowners, managers, charterers, brokers and agents. The company works closely with oil and gas firms and other major energy companies. Diaplous is also a trusted partner to insurance firms, law enforcement agencies, NGOs and UN-related organisations.

Good training and response

Diaplous cultivates the risk management mentality through another major company of the group, the Diaplous Risk Management College (DRMC), which offers a comprehensive range of internationally accredited and endorsed training services to clients, partners and its own personnel. Using decades-worth of expertise, these services can be delivered anywhere in the world and support lifelong capability building and career paths.

“In particular, we specialise in the design of customised courses and training to suit the specific needs of our clients, such as security, auditing, first aid, project management and risk and crisis management courses,” said Ms Rocos. “Adequate training remains a key factor in successful risk management.”

“The college also trains Diaplous’ field personnel, conducting mandatory courses and refresher courses for all our guards to equip them with a full skillset,” Ms Rocos continued.

Risk and crisis management is further supported by Diaplous’ Intelligence Analysis & Vital Response Crisis Management Centre

(IAVRCMC), which allows clients to remain strategically informed through intelligence; the key to a factual approach to decisionmaking when facing existing and emerging risks. In the case of an actual incident, the 24/7 department offers full crisis management support, activating emergency response, guidance and cost-effective options for courses of action.

Investments and growth

Another significant string to the Diaplous bow comes in the form of the newly established Diaplous Phi. “The team is led by former senior naval officers and marine engineers,” explained Ms Chatzikyriakou. “Diaplous Phi brings together advanced naval engineering knowledge together with deep Special Forces operational expertise to the design and construction of Special Operations Crafts (SOCs). ”Diaplous Phi aims

to provide its customers with ‘Tailor Made’ and ‘Turnkey’ solutions taking into consideration their specific requirements.

Diaplous’ proven capabilities are showcased by SOC AGENOR, an 18-metre aluminium SOC built to support the highly demanding operations of the Hellenic Underwater Demolition Command, the Greek Navy’s elite special warfare unit. The vessel is designed to provide superior ride quality without compromising on high speed. It is powered by two 1,200BHP MAN engines with a Q-SPD surface drive and can reach a top speed of over 50 knots in 35 seconds.

Diaplous is also rapidly expanding new services, including gangway management for vessels in a dry dock. Access control is maintained by security consultants deployed on-board, together with specific equipment and visitor management software.

Another investment is in coastal surveillance, which entails the operation of advanced high-tech equipment and remote monitoring through Diaplous’ 24/7 operation centre.

“With the use of Marine type RADARs, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), as well as with the use of Thermal CCTV cameras and other sensors or security related technological components, we provide thorough coastal surveillance services to shore-side and offshore facilities,” explained Ms Chatzikyriakou.

Strength in numbers

Diaplous is supported by pillars associated with sustainable financing, cost efficiency strategies, environmental impact minimi -

sation, human rights protection, anti-bribery and anti-corruption advocacy, and risk management tools so as to become a constructive yet practical force that contributes to global integrity.

Ensuring consistent access to high-value information and practical tools, Diaplous joined the United Nations Global Compact in March 2022, a network of sustainably driven organisations that align their strategies with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the 10 UN Principles.

“Our participation was succeeded by new monitoring methods, setting objectives and priorities, impact assessment aids, fresh ideas and extroversion Ms Chatzikyriakou said. “We interacted with various sectors, so as to acquire good

practices that they have adopted ie: on how to set targets and reach net-zero emissions or how to measure and promote gender equality, only to carry those practices in all the fields that we operate in and to the final products that we deliver.”

Going forward, the group intends to keep up with the cutting-edge, developing unmanned vehicles for remote inspection techniques, increasing safety and agility.

“Traditional methods of close-up surveys are risky, time consuming and costly,” explained Nikos Georgopoulos, Chief of Business Development. “By sending Diaplous’ sophisticated drones in to hardto-reach places, our pilots can collect visual data remotely, while standing safely outside of the dangerous spaces, thus improving the overall safety of inspection.

“Moreover, they can collect data from parts of the vessel that are inaccessible

with the traditional means, thereby providing a thorough situation awareness. At the end of the day, a sound, cost-efficient, less time-consuming, and well-reported Remote Inspection is delivered, to empower shipowners and surveyors in decision making, and most importantly with no risk to human life.”

Across all its endeavours, Diaplous looks set to keep doing what it does best: making the sea and other vital operating areas a safer place. “It is highly rewarding to be a part of an organisation that provides protection in some of the world's most dangerous and complex environments,” concluded Ms Rocos, “and to positively contribute as a stabilising force in global hotspots of insecurity towards the greater good of the world.” n