Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    2024 IMO Bravery Awards honor tanker and tugboat crews for heroic acts

    Officer to receive IMO bravery award for saving 12 crew members

    Panama

    BMA: Sanctions imposed against Russia

    Work,Safety,Concept.,Wooden,Cube,Blocks,With,Icon,Of,Safety

    DNV: Key IMO safety developments

    seafarers

    Philippines DMW issues call to protect seafarers from warlike areas

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    friendship

    Exploring the human need for friendship: A lifeline at sea and on shore

    neck pain

    Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    ammonia bunkering vessel

    Company orders ammonia bunkering vessel for use in Singapore

    WSC

    WSC proposes alignment of EU ETS with IMO Net Zero Framework

    IMO Council World Maritime Day

    IMO: World Maritime Day two-year theme to take policy to practice

    BIMCO FuelEU Maritime Regulation

    EU issues low-carbon hydrogen fuel standards

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    vr training

    Companies team up for virtual reality training to better prepare crew

    digital tools onboard

    Company signs for AI autonomous navigation system for PCTC fleet

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    floating data centres

    New partnership to develop floating data center on retrofitted vessel

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    OCIMF

    OCIMF Annual Report 2025: SIRE 2.0 a welcome change for the industry

    USCG

    ABS PSC Report Q1 2025: 526 total vessels detained

    paris mou lists

    Paris MoU 2024 Performance lists

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    China

    China lays out vision for smarter and greener shipping

    Sanctions Russia

    EU plans to impose new Russian oil price cap

    EU US

    US plans to hit EU and Mexico with 30% tariff starting August

    Dr. Rosalie Balkin

    Dr. Rosalie Balkin to receive IMO International Maritime Prize

  • Columns
    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    NorthStandard: Data sharing to drive technology and improve crew wellbeing

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    2024 IMO Bravery Awards honor tanker and tugboat crews for heroic acts

    Officer to receive IMO bravery award for saving 12 crew members

    Panama

    BMA: Sanctions imposed against Russia

    Work,Safety,Concept.,Wooden,Cube,Blocks,With,Icon,Of,Safety

    DNV: Key IMO safety developments

    seafarers

    Philippines DMW issues call to protect seafarers from warlike areas

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    friendship

    Exploring the human need for friendship: A lifeline at sea and on shore

    neck pain

    Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    ammonia bunkering vessel

    Company orders ammonia bunkering vessel for use in Singapore

    WSC

    WSC proposes alignment of EU ETS with IMO Net Zero Framework

    IMO Council World Maritime Day

    IMO: World Maritime Day two-year theme to take policy to practice

    BIMCO FuelEU Maritime Regulation

    EU issues low-carbon hydrogen fuel standards

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    vr training

    Companies team up for virtual reality training to better prepare crew

    digital tools onboard

    Company signs for AI autonomous navigation system for PCTC fleet

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    floating data centres

    New partnership to develop floating data center on retrofitted vessel

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    OCIMF

    OCIMF Annual Report 2025: SIRE 2.0 a welcome change for the industry

    USCG

    ABS PSC Report Q1 2025: 526 total vessels detained

    paris mou lists

    Paris MoU 2024 Performance lists

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    China

    China lays out vision for smarter and greener shipping

    Sanctions Russia

    EU plans to impose new Russian oil price cap

    EU US

    US plans to hit EU and Mexico with 30% tariff starting August

    Dr. Rosalie Balkin

    Dr. Rosalie Balkin to receive IMO International Maritime Prize

  • Columns
    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    Career Paths: Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, Maritime Battery Forum

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    NorthStandard: Data sharing to drive technology and improve crew wellbeing

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

OBP explains role of Vessel Protection Detachment

by The Editorial Team
September 6, 2017
in Security
protection

Above image is used for illustration purposes only / Credit: US Navy

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

In a recent white paper, Oceans Beyond Piracy explores the model of Vessel Protection Detachments (VPDs), uniformed military personnel embarked on a vessel with explicit approval of the Flag State. Unlike private security actors at sea, VPD operators are trained to follow strict and defined rules of engagement through traditional military chain of command.

VPDs most commonly match the nationality of the vessel or are procured and regulated through a Memorandum of Understanding or Status of Forces Agreement between the home state of the VPD and the Flag State of the Vessel.

Yet in the commercial maritime setting, VPDs may have to act on their own, including in matters relating to the use of force. Some governments have gone so far as to codify such relationships in order to provide their operators with the legal latitude necessary to respond to seaborne threats at will. For example, the Italian Ministry of Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Italian Ship Owners Association indicating that ship Masters have no responsibility to oversee VPD personnel.

The VPD is simply performing point-to-point protection against piracy and armed robbery. Neither the VPD nor the civilian client vessel is authorized to patrol the seas, board, inspect or arrest suspect pirate ships.

RelatedNews

Validity of shadow vessels’ insurance documents remains uncertain

Philippines DMW issues call to protect seafarers from warlike areas

This issue came to a head in 2012 during the Enrica Lexie incident, where Italian marines as part of an embarked VPD aboard the Enrica Lexie opened fire and killed two Indian fishermen. India’s perspective, that armed security personnel on merchant vessels are posing a danger to their nationals, may lead some coastal states to call for further regulation of VPDs, and for their roles, rights, and obligations to be clarified in international law. The Italian viewpoint is that the two Marines cannot be detained by India, that the incident occurred in international waters, and that the accused are further immune from prosecution due to their official status.

Additional challenges faced by VPDs are similar to those of PMSCs. Some challenges include:

  • Immigration and customs clearances for personnel, firearms, ammunition, and other security equipment entering and exiting national territory;
  • Communication with local government and military authorities in order to ensure safe transportation to/from Vessel RV point and landing site;
  • Coordination with the protected vessel to meet at the pre-selected RV point on schedule;
  • Ensuring timely and consistent transportation to and from the protected vessels to the host vessel or seaport.

 

Several countries, including Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, and Ukraine provide VPDs to support EUNAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta protection mission of World Food Program deliveries. By embarking a VPD directly onto commercial vessels, warship escorts for WFP vessels become unnecessary. This allows more EUNAVFOR warships to remain on station and continue other important counter-piracy missions. 

However, challenges remain in clarifying the roles, activities, and Rules of Engagement for VPDs operating aboard vessels from various flag states and through the territorial waters of several coastal states. Some coastal states may argue that the embarkation of armed military personnel on privately owned and operated vessels could prejudice the merchant vessels’ status under the regime of innocent passage. To avoid future conflict, OBP suggests that what is needed is a globally accepted framework harmonizing the embarkation and activities of VPDs, as well as standardizing the relationship between VPD and the Master of the commercial vessel. 

Explore more by reading the full paper:

OBP explains role of Vessel Protection Detachment

OBP explains role of Vessel Protection DetachmentOBP explains role of Vessel Protection Detachment
OBP explains role of Vessel Protection DetachmentOBP explains role of Vessel Protection Detachment
Tags: anti piracy measuresEUNAVFORFlag Statesmaritime securityOBPreports
Previous Post

ClassNK e-Certificate approved for use by more flag states

Next Post

MAN Cryo, Swedegas to deliver LNG facility in Gothenburg

SUGGESTED FOR YOU

Houthi Israel
Security

Israel urges US to resume strikes against Houthis after deadly attacks

July 14, 2025
Eternity C
Security

SAR efforts end for missing crew following the Eternity C attack

July 14, 2025
singapore
Shipping

Singapore tops global maritime center ranking for 12th straight year

July 14, 2025
IMO piracy
Security

IMO Piracy Report: Twenty five incidents during May 2025

July 10, 2025
Dryad Global
Security

Dryad Global: Geopolitical tensions continue to shape maritime landscape

July 10, 2025
UNCTAD
Shipping

UNCTAD: Global trade endures policy changes and uncertainty

July 10, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA