Tag: armed guards

InterManager campaign has received more than 90% support InterManager members have called for more proactive methods to be developed in the protection of ships transiting pirate-infested trade lanes by launching a campaign to allow owners and third party managers the freedom of choice in employing armed guards onboard ships they manage.The InterManager campaign, which has received more than 90% support from its members, proposes to lobby Flag States and Charterers to review their rules relating to armed guards onboard ship.It claims that any decision taken to provide armed guards should be based on a robust risk assessment of each vessel and its transit and should be in accordance with the guidance set out in Best Management Practices 4 (BMP4) - the recently produced IMO guidelines on the employment of armed guards. Such decisions should be unhindered by restrictive Flag State legislation or Charter Party agreements.Pressure for greater protection of ships transiting danger areas such as the Gulf of Aden and the NW Indian Ocean has grown following concerns over the effectiveness of naval operations in the area. Notwithstanding the efforts of the international community's naval forces deployed in the area since 2008, more than 3,500 seafarers have been taken hostage ...

But not to issue any permits for the use of weapons of war The Federal Government wants to make legally possible the use of armed private security teams on German ships but not to issue any permits for the use of weapons of war. That was resolved at an inter-ministerial meeting on Wednesday evening , Hans-Joachim Otto (FDP) , the Federal Government's coordinator for the maritime industry, said to this newspaper on Thursday .For this purpose, procedures were established for the certification of security firms and operational rules were put into place. At an international meeting in London next week, the government wants to try to resolve uniform rules and standards with other states. That is important primarily because most (90 per cent) of the security firms now operating on the seas come from foreign countries, especially from Great Britain.According to the parliamentary state secretary for economics, the experts have concluded that security teams do not need any heavy weapons for this. "The unanimous opinion in the Federal Government is that we can get along without weapons of war," Otto said. He added that this is not changed by the fact that as a rule pirates attack with rapid-fire rifles ...

Proposing that Netherlands-flagged ships carry guards by the Ministry of Defence A Netherlands parliamentary committee has ruled out the use of private onboard armed security guards on Dutch ships as a protection against pirate attack. Instead, it is proposing that Netherlands-flagged ships carry guards employed by the Ministry of Defence with the status of temporary military personnel. The shipowners would pay for the cost of the guards.The proposal appears to buck the trend elsewhere of using private security to guard against pirate attacks. The Norwegian Shipowners' Association, for example, says that a quarter of Norwegian-owned ships have installed armed guards since their use was formalised on 1 July 2011.The police and maritime authorities need to give permission for use of security companies, and can issue six-month permits. Danish ships can also carry armed security guards, subject to licences issued under rules and guidelines.Source: ITF

ICS, BIMCO, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO demand a The global shipping industry (represented by the Round Table of international shipping associations) has called for the establishment of a United Nations force of armed military guards to tackle the piracy crisis in the Indian Ocean, which it says is spiralling out of control.In a hard hitting letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO demand a "bold new strategy" to curb rising levels of piracy which have resulted in the Indian Ocean resembling "the wild west".The letter states: "It is now abundantly clear to shipping companies that the current situation, whereby control of the Indian Ocean has been ceded to pirates, requires a bold new strategy. To be candid, the current approach is not working."Regretting the increasing necessity for shipping companies to employ private armed guards to protect crew and ships, the letter continues: "It seems inevitable that lawlessness ashore in Somalia will continue to breed lawlessness at sea."The shipping industry organisations - which represent more than 90% of the world merchant fleet - say they fully support the UN's long-term measures on shore aimed at helping the Somali people but are concerned that ...

Dom Mee, president of Protection Vessels International alled for ports to provide better security Ports in regions threatened by piracy should address how they accommodate armed guards and issue clear guidelines to shipowners and operators, a security expert has warned.Dom Mee, president of Protection Vessels International (PVI) speaking at a conference on piracy organised by SAARPSCO (South Asia and Africa Regional Port Stability Co-operative) in the Seychelles this week, called for ports to provide better guidance to support the provision of armed guard security - including on the storage of arms, weapons licensing and the embarkation and disembarkation of guards.His plea comes just weeks after the most audacious Somali pirate attack thus far, when the chemical tanker 'Fairchem Bogey' was hijacked while in Omani port waters.The IMO recently set out guidelines for shipowners and operators to deal with the use of armed guards, but no reference, or guidance was given to the provision of armed guards while in waters under port state control, or while 'landed'.Mee told the conference: "The recent hijacking in port waters in Oman and other similar attacks serves to remind us of the increasing threat posed to shipowners and operators when they are effectively under the ...

Shipowners will leave their protection to the government ? Shipowners are not to get private security to protect their vessels against pirates but leave their protection to the government, a special committee has concluded. The proposal has angered the shipowners, who say it's impractical and needlessly complicated.Merchant ships, the committee proposes, should get temporary military protection. Committee chair Joan de Wijkerslooth:"We do not say private security is not allowed. All we say is: don't start there. Under the current circumstances, it's much easier for the defence ministry to deploy people, as a sort of temps, for example from private security firms. These people can then be sent along, with the status of temporary soldiers."ImpracticalTineke Netelenbos, who represents the Dutch shipowners, dismisses the proposal as impractical. "The government should certify certain private security firms and see to it that shipowners only use those that are certified. That is much more practical than the current roundabout proposal which is going to cause a lot of red tape at the defence ministry.Heavy weaponsPirates, the committee maintains, can only be deterred with heavy automatic weapons. Temporary soldiers are allowed to use such weaponry, but private security guards are not. That would require changing the ...

NSB chose GreySide Group as its exclusive provider Germany's NSB Niederelbe Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG has chosen Herndon, Va., headquartered GreySide Group, Inc. as its exclusive provider of armed maritime security.Initially, NSB will employ security on those vessels of its managed fleet 112 units that are most at risk."Piracy is an issue that continues to plague shipping. After careful consideration, NSB made the decision that the most effective means of protecting our ships and their crews was through the use of carefully vetted, professionally trained and experienced armed security personnel," said NSB Company Security Officer, Guido Kraemer."GreySide Group is the leader in maritime security and has demonstrated that they have the capabilities, experience, and training to effectively protect NSB vessels and their accompanying crews from pirate attacks." said NSB's Company Security Officer, Guido Kraemer."The GreySide Group is immensely proud to have been selected by NSB to provide armed security for their ships. By taking a proactive stance in deciding to place armed security on their vessels, NSB has demonstrated their deep commitment to protecting their ships and crews and shown a profound understanding of the challenges piracy presents to the global shipping industry. GreySide commends NSB for once again ...

About 35 per cent of the ship transiting in Gulf of Aden deploy armed security guards The ministry of shipping on Monday issued guidelines allowing ships with Indian crew to deploy armed guards in a bid to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden. The move comes on the back of recommendations from the inter-ministerial group (IMG) of officers constituted to handle the hostage situation on hijacked ships and also suggest preventive measures.It has been found that about 35 per cent of the ship transiting in these waters deploy armed security guards and that the pirates generally don't attack ships with armed guards on board, an official release said on Monday. So far, 120 Somalian pirates have been apprehended by India as on date.As per the new guidelines, ship owners are allowed to engage private maritime security companies (PMSC) through a proper selection procedure. In line with these, all Indian ships visiting Indian ports are to furnish details of security personnel on board, the firearms carried by them and the details of licence issued, etc, to the port authority, customs, Coast Guard and the Navy. Foreign merchant vessels visiting Indian ports with security guards are also required to follow similar ...

Germany plans to lobby other EU countries to allow armed guards Germany plans to lobby other European Union countries to allow the deployment of private armed guards on their merchant ships in high-risk areas as a piracy crisis escalates, ministry officials said.But analysts said the initiative was likely to face legal and practical difficulties.Somali piracy is costing the world economy billions of dollars a year, and international navies are stretched to combat the menace in the Indian Ocean due to the vast distances involved. In desperation, more shipping companies are considering deploying private armed guards on their vessels.The German government is looking into changing the country's weapons laws to allow security personnel to bear firearms on ships in high-risk areas. It could also certify those private security companies that could be used on merchant vessels, a government official said."Our goal is to develop a coordinated approach to be presented at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in September, and EU governments are the main partners to bring on board," said Jan Gerd Becker-Schwering with the German economy ministry. "To go this alone would not be beneficial."The European Union said allowing private armed guards on merchant vessels was a decision to ...

Germany may soon authorize shipping companies to hire private armed guards The German government is considering a change to gun laws so that private security companies can protect German ships from pirates. So far this year 21 vessels have been hijacked near the Horn of Africa.Germany may soon authorize shipping companies to hire private armed guards to defend vessels from Somali pirates. Ships sailing near the Horn of Africa are at high risk of attack from pirates, who often hijack ships for ransom.Currently one third of German ships are estimated to be sailing in the western Indian Ocean with guards on board, but the practice is only semi-legal. If a pirate were to be killed in self-defense, the guard can be punished under German laws.The idea of deploying naval escorts for ships has been sidelined by the government, as it would be unaffordable. Failing to gain naval support, shipping companies have been angry at a policy stalemate lasting years. The pirates are frequently armed with a automatic weapons and bazookas, and often target German ships carrying chemicals and oil.World consensusBerlin officials said on Wednesday that there was a shift in opinion in favor of allowing armed guards to defend ships.On ...