An additional measure to protect ships against the threat of piracy
Industry Associations INTERTANKO, BIMCO, OCIMF, ICS, INTERCARGO and IG P&I Clubs, have worked quickly and effectively to produce a set of guidelines for ship owners who, following a risk analysis evaluation, may choose to make use of Private Maritime Security Contractors (PMSC), as an additional measure to the existing Best Management Practices, to protect ships against the threat of piracy.
The resultant guidelines address a series of key issues including those regarding the selection and screening of PMSCs, insurance cover, command and control and weapon management.
These guidelines have this week being submitted to the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee 89th session (MSC 89 meets this week 11-20 May), in the form of what is known as a “J” paper to provide assistance to the MSC 89 maritime security working group.
The decision on the employment of a PMSC is a complex one for any ship owner. The absence of applicable regulation or industry self-regulation, coupled with complex legal requirements governing the legitimate transport, carriage and use of arms, is regrettable.
This situation is further complicated by the rapid growth in the number of maritime security industry companies and doubts about the capabilities and maturity of some of these companies. Significant competence and quality variations are present across the spectrum of contractors offering services.
The guidelines will be reviewed and updated as necessary by the supporting industry organisations and may be accessed here
Source : INTERTANKO,BIMCO