Further to my morning trawl.
Another interesting snippet of information.
[h3]Time to bring in the ex-Marines?[/h3]
By Lloyds List Comment
Friday 18 September 2009
WORD that the Iranian tanker operator NITC has been routinely deploying ex-Royal Marine guards on its very large crude carriers passing through the Gulf of Aden raises the question as to whether the use of force is now the most viable remedy to the epidemic of piracy.
Judging from the comments made by NITC’s chairman and managing director, Mohammad Souri, the move has been effective. Since October last year, NITC’s VLCCs have been attacked a dozen times, and have managed to fend off the attacks successfully.
Mr Souri, speaking at the International Union of Marine Maritime Insurers this week, was careful to say that using the ex-soldiers was part of a larger web of risk management measures that the company had taken. But he was particularly keen on using mercenaries.
“British ex-navy [personnel] are giving these services that are not expensive and we have used them for some time,†he said, adding that: “Piracy at sea is a threat to local economies and, while it requires international attention… it requires local security solutions.â€
This page has supported the industry stance, as enunciated by BIMCO and a wide range of shipping organisations, that military intervention, based on a coordination of interested national powers, is to the good. Industry organisations have concluded that private security guards can help, but stress that such decisions are made at the discretion of the shipowner and armed guards are not recommended.
Nevertheless the use of armed guards remains a grey area for many shipowners.
IUMI’s ocean hull chairman told Lloyd’s List that the group doesn’t encourage armed guards because it could encourage escalation.
The use of armed guards can lead to disaster, as the slaughter wrought by mercenaries working for security provider Blackwater in Iraq amply in 2007. This horrible scenario aside, hand-wringing over escalation of violence is a duff point.
The situation in the Gulf of Aden and elsewhere is escalating without widespread armed resistance, and in spite of coordinated government action. Government officials and security forces recognize that the amount of effort to make waters truly safe may be beyond the individual political wills of the nations that have contributed.
Shipowners who want to protect the humanity and treasure comprising their businesses will begin using armed guards if efforts like NITC’s continue to be successful. In the absence of a political solution, armed resistance will look to be the next-best fallback.
Former RM's on Iranian tankers, the wheel has turned full circle.
Saward
Another interesting snippet of information.
[h3]Time to bring in the ex-Marines?[/h3]
By Lloyds List Comment
Friday 18 September 2009
WORD that the Iranian tanker operator NITC has been routinely deploying ex-Royal Marine guards on its very large crude carriers passing through the Gulf of Aden raises the question as to whether the use of force is now the most viable remedy to the epidemic of piracy.
Judging from the comments made by NITC’s chairman and managing director, Mohammad Souri, the move has been effective. Since October last year, NITC’s VLCCs have been attacked a dozen times, and have managed to fend off the attacks successfully.
Mr Souri, speaking at the International Union of Marine Maritime Insurers this week, was careful to say that using the ex-soldiers was part of a larger web of risk management measures that the company had taken. But he was particularly keen on using mercenaries.
“British ex-navy [personnel] are giving these services that are not expensive and we have used them for some time,†he said, adding that: “Piracy at sea is a threat to local economies and, while it requires international attention… it requires local security solutions.â€
This page has supported the industry stance, as enunciated by BIMCO and a wide range of shipping organisations, that military intervention, based on a coordination of interested national powers, is to the good. Industry organisations have concluded that private security guards can help, but stress that such decisions are made at the discretion of the shipowner and armed guards are not recommended.
Nevertheless the use of armed guards remains a grey area for many shipowners.
IUMI’s ocean hull chairman told Lloyd’s List that the group doesn’t encourage armed guards because it could encourage escalation.
The use of armed guards can lead to disaster, as the slaughter wrought by mercenaries working for security provider Blackwater in Iraq amply in 2007. This horrible scenario aside, hand-wringing over escalation of violence is a duff point.
The situation in the Gulf of Aden and elsewhere is escalating without widespread armed resistance, and in spite of coordinated government action. Government officials and security forces recognize that the amount of effort to make waters truly safe may be beyond the individual political wills of the nations that have contributed.
Shipowners who want to protect the humanity and treasure comprising their businesses will begin using armed guards if efforts like NITC’s continue to be successful. In the absence of a political solution, armed resistance will look to be the next-best fallback.
Former RM's on Iranian tankers, the wheel has turned full circle.
Saward
