India’s Ministry of Shipping has officially approved the deployment of armed guards aboard Indian merchant ships to protect against piracy. The guidelines were issued in conjunction with the Indian Navy & Coast Guard.
In its official release, the ministry said it had considered the fact that about 35 percent of the ships transiting these waters deploy armed security guards and that the pirates generally don’t attack ships with armed guards on board.
All Indian ships visiting Indian ports are to furnish details of security personnel, including a description of firearms and associated licenses, to the Port Authority, Customs, Coast Guard and the Navy.
Foreign merchant vessels visiting Indian ports with security guards are required to follow the same procedure.
Break-bulk Online, 30.08.11