Why the time has come to arm crews

The audience at the Connecticut Maritime Association’s session on war risk and piracy was told that Nigeria and the area around the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Pakistan in the Arabian Sea, had been identified as emergent hotspots.
Socio-political factors would ensure that piracy spreads to areas other than the Gulf of Aden and Somalia. The industry had been content to view these incidents as criminal and not outright terrorist, and the degree of violence in Gulf of Aden piracy had been manageable, in that ransom payments usually ensure safe release of crew and ships.
However, the violence and ransom problem in other parts of the world was unlikely to be as uncomplicated and painless as is the case in Somalia, the audience was told.
Nigeria, in particular, had already seen a marked increase in violence.
Armed crew might be the next unavoidable step to combat this change.
There is no general prohibition on carrying arms onboard as a means to combat terrorism. However, the practice has been discouraged. 

Shipowners are reluctant to consider it as an option because of legal and insurance issues, and many flag states have openly rejected the notion.
Even the former military personnel who board ships as they transit the Gulf of Aden as part of specialised anti-piracy services go onboard with non-lethal deterrents only.
Teekay Marine Services vice-president Pradeep Kale said such former military personnel have a quality that ordinary seafarers do not have: combat experience and perspective.
Teekay has contracted a British firm to provide unarmed but experienced ex-military escorts, who typically join the ships between Djibouti and Salalah.
Teekay’s ship staff had reported a tremendous boost in morale with the presence of these experts, Mr Kale said.
The escorts had also been able to coach the company and crew on matters such as erecting barricades to deter pirates, and other subtle tactics designed as much for psychological advantage as any physical benefit.
Mr Kale said the company’s official policy was “zero harm to people and property; health and safety the first priority”.
This resulted in the company hiring a dedicated security officer based in Mumbai, whose only task is to monitor the piracy situation around the world and conduct senior management meetings twice a week.
Teekay managers have gone through training on hostage negotiations.
Teekay has been abiding by its flag states’ reluctance to allow arms on board.
However, lethal attacks off Nigeria had already provided an indication of things to come, and Teekay would not hesitate to put pressure on the flag states if the need arises.