Greece to allow armed guards on cargo ships against piracy Saturday, 26.Nov.2011, 02:32 (GMT+3) Greece will let its large commercial fleet
employ armed guards to ward against a surge in pirate attacks, the
ministry in charge of security said on Friday, satisfying a
long-standing shipowner demand.
Greece will let its large commercial fleet
employ armed guards to ward against a surge in pirate attacks, the
ministry in charge of security said on Friday, satisfying a
long-standing shipowner demand.
"To improve safe sailing and crew safety aboard Greek ships crossing
seas with increased piracy cases, an initiative has been taken to draft
legislation for the embarkation of armed individuals on commercial
ships," the ministry said.
The legislation will enable the hiring of a minimum of six guards per
ship on six-month contracts that can be renewed, a ministry source said.
The new arrangement will mainly apply to Greek-flagged ships but could
be extended to vessels sailing through Greek waters, the source told
AFP.
This modification will enable Greek-owned ships flying flags of
convenience -- around 500 vessels according to the union of Greek
captains -- to also be eligible.
Greek authorities had initially resisted shipowner calls to beef up
security, a move opposed by crews fearing the presence of armed guards
will ultimately only result in pirates switching to heavier weaponry to
secure their prize
"This measure threatens to set off an arms race with the pirates," said
George Tsouris, the head secretary of the Greek captains' union, who has
himself fallen victim to pirates on his voyages.
"It could also disrupt the chain of command on board," he told AFP.
But the failure of international efforts to address the problem has led
to a change of policy with Greece now following the example of Britain,
the first European Union state to arm its merchant vessels
Many Greek-owned vessels have been seized by pirates in recent years,
resulting in long period of captivity for crews and heavy insurance and
ransom costs for shipowners.
The International Maritime Organisation has recorded 352 piracy attacks between January and September this year.
Greece will let its large commercial fleet
employ armed guards to ward against a surge in pirate attacks, the
ministry in charge of security said on Friday, satisfying a
long-standing shipowner demand.
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