Piracy puts wind in supplier’s sails

While many Middle East companies were retrenching last year, Bahrain Maritime & Mercantile International marked its 125th anniversary by setting up a subsidiary in Africa.

The timing proved fortunate. As the main contractor providing food and drink to the US and other military forces in the region, BMMI has seen a surge of new business through its Djibouti office.

“The level of military activity off east Africa has increased considerably due to the Somali pirate attacks, and all these ships need feeding,” says Gordon Boyle, chief executive of the supply and logistics company. “In a way, we’re one of the few beneficiaries of piracy.”