From its start in the Netherlands in 2006 to becoming a leading maritime security provider in the Indian Ocean, Specops has built a reputation for top tier protection without compromising on quality.
Specops began its journey in 2006 in the Netherlands with a clear mission: to provide security services that value quality over quantity. In the early years the focus was on private security contracts in the Middle East, operating in environments where precision, discretion and cultural awareness were vital for success.
The turning point came when piracy surged in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and the waters around the Malacca Strait. Many companies rushed to offer maritime security services, often relying on the cheapest personnel they could find. Specops refused to compromise. We built our teams with top tier operators, primarily European and more than 80 percent Dutch, ensuring our clients received highly trained and reliable professionals.
Our maritime operations expanded rapidly. We established offices in strategic hubs including the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Malta. From our base in the Seychelles we coordinated daily transits, moving vessels from Egypt to Galle, Sri Lanka, and covering some of the busiest and most dangerous shipping routes in the world. In the wider region of Mauritius, Mombasa and Madagascar, Specops became the largest security provider of its kind.
These operations were not just about armed protection. They required intelligence gathering, coordination with naval forces, and constant adaptation to changing piracy tactics. Our operators often worked in extreme conditions, living aboard vessels for weeks at a time, maintaining a vigilant presence in high-risk waters.
Over the years the maritime industry changed. Just as in the Middle East, the focus for many companies shifted from quality to low-cost solutions. Specops held its ground. We do not compete in the race to the bottom by providing the cheapest armed guards. We provide value through professionalism, discipline and operational excellence. Clients who work with us understand that safety is an investment, not an expense.
Today maritime security is still part of our operations, but we offer it only to a select group of clients who understand the importance of high standards. The same principles that guided us in 2006 still define us today. Whether on land or at sea, our reputation is built on trust, capability and an uncompromising approach to quality.
Specops may have grown into a global company, but the mindset remains rooted in the Netherlands. Our work is driven by the same ethics and values we started with, ensuring that wherever we operate, we deliver the best and nothing less.