Piracy of ships off the coast of Somali has become a major concern in the maritime industry in recent years. Now, private security agencies accompanying ships has lead to a dramatic decrease in the number of vessel hi-jackings by Somalian pirates. The German government has revealed that they are looking to regulate the activities of these private security firms through the institution of new licensing and certification legislation.
German officials have passed a bill requiring security agencies to fulfill stringent requirements if they are accompanying vessels registered in Germany. Hans-Joachim Otto, the government official responsible for maritime industry coordination, has approved the decision, saying that it will ensure that only well-trained and appropriately certified security teams will protect German vessels. The legislation is expected to be implemented in mid-2013.
Companies that offer security to German vessels, mostly foreign agencies from Britain and the US, will have to provide ‘watertight documents’ proving that the licensing requirements detailed in the legislation are fulfilled.
BAFA, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control, will be the main player in enforcing the new laws, with the assistance of the German Federal Police. It is thought that the licenses required by the agencies will cost between 8000 and 16000 Euros, and will be effective for two years from the date of issue.
Weapons used by the agencies will also need to be registered. The law states that no military weapons can be used by private security forces, however semi-automatic guns and ammunition may be permitted.
Almost 50 percent of all merchant ships registered in Germany had to travel through the treacherous waters off the coast of Somalia last year, according to reports from the German economics ministry. However, it appears that the threat of piracy in the region is decreasing. Attacks in the area have decreased by less than half in 2012, compared to 2011 figures. According to Otto, a possible reason for the drop in piracy could be that crew members were adhering better to security rules, including posting guards on the bridge and travelling through high risk areas as fast as possible. In addition, the European Union has launched Atalanta, an anti-piracy mission that has shown some success. The most effective means of reducing piracy remains, however, the presence of the private security agencies that the new legislation will target.
‘Never in history have pirates successfully captured a ship which had private security guards on board,’ said Otto. German ship owners have welcomed the new legislation.
