Although a vast majority still believes that arming civilian seafarers is a bad idea, acceptance has increased for armed security personnel on ships transiting pirate infested waters. Stena Bulk is one of the owners that recently has announced its decision to provide armed guards after having had incidents involving two company tankers.

Also in political chambers, there is a growing understanding for shipowners hiring armed guards or using privately owned armed escort vessel services, albeit with mixed feelings. “In a perfect world we wouldn’t dream of having armed security people on board ships, but we do not live in a perfect world” the UK shipping minister Mike Penning recently said in a speech. He stressed that piracy must be combated and he did understand owners taking this step. “I cannot ignore that, and I cannot just say “ok, it will be alright”, because that would allow the cowboys to come in”, Lloyd’s List cites him.

Piracy is spreading and violence escalating. Somali pirates have extended their operational area and activity has increased also in other hot spots.

The dry cargo vessel Perseas was recently violently attacked off Nigeria. In an armed assault, pirates wounded two seafarers and kidnapped the master and the chief engineer. This followed attacks on two anchor handling tugs, the Melody and the Kendrick. In the first case, the pirates kidnapped the chief engineer.

Also in the waters off Singapore, criminal gangs have increased their activities. At least one bunker tanker and four tugs have reportedly been boarded by armed and masked gangs of up to 10 persons.