guidelines to protect ships against piracy
Internationally, efforts are being made to develop guidelines for security companies used to protect ships against piracy.
At a meeting held on 28 February 2012, the Industrial Working Group 3 under the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) almost finalized a document addressed at maritime security companies offering the services of civilian, armed guards to prevent acts of piracy on ships in the Indian Ocean.
In addition, the working group almost finalized a document addressed at flag States on the implementation of best practices for preventing piracy.
Now, the documents will be submitted to the IMO (United Nations’ International Maritime Organization) in the hope is that the IMO can finalize the guidelines at a meeting in May 2012.
WG 3 meeting – Industrial Working Group 3 under the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Security companies
At the meeting, draft preliminary guidelines were almost finalized for private maritime security companies (PMSC) offering the services of civilian, armed guards to prevent acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
The background for the document is that, in recent years, developments have led to a very considerable increase in the use of civilian, armed guards. However, there are no international guidelines or standards for security companies offering armed protection of ships.
Thus, the guidelines contain a detailed description of the documented procedures that a security company should have in place so that shipowners can make a qualified choice of a security company.
There will still be made minor adjustments to the document, and it will also be subject to legal scrutiny, especially as regards the section on the use of force.
Subsequently, the IMO will consider the draft at the session of the Maritime Safety Committee to be held in May this year (MSC 90), and it is the hope that, after this session, guidelines for security companies will be available.
At the meeting, there was also general agreement that there are still a number of issues related to security companies that WG3 need to consider, including accreditation and international standards.
Framework for flag States’ implementation of “best practices”
At the meeting, a document addressed at flag States was also considered so that they ensure that ships flying their flag take measures to prevent piracy. This document will also be submitted to the IMO for consideration at MSC 90 in May 2012.
The future work of WG3
Now, South Korea will take over the chairmanship of WG3 from the USA. Therefore, it was discussed at the meeting what issues WG3 should consider in the future. This will partly depend on the IMO’s work in order to avoid overlaps. Among the issues to be considered by WG3 are seafarers’ welfare and whether guidelines hereon should be developed. Furthermore, it will be considered whether to take further measures to ensure the application of Best Management Practices (BMP) and, as mentioned above, issues related to security companies.
Source: Danish Maritime Authority
