Anti-Piracy Security Services in IOR

ESCGS is allowed to provide it’s ISO 28000/28007 certified armed security services on more than 40 different flag-state vessels, which is almost 85% of the world’s merchant fleet.

FLAG-STATE	Licensed   PMSC-s only / Single transit license	SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS	NATIONAL OFFICIAL GUIDANCE
Antigua & Barbuda	Single transit license	Shipowners, ship operators and ship Masters are to be guided by the provisions of MSC.1405/Rev.1 on Revised interim guidance to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the high risk area when considering the company that will provide armed personnel.	http://abregistry.ag
Bahamas	Single transit license	The shipping company should be able to demonstrate that due diligence has been carried out when selecting the PMSC. Selection should be based on the guidance provided in MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2 and take into account any national certification to ISO/PAS 28007:2012.	http://www.bahamasmaritime.com
Bahrain	Single transit license	PCASP onboard national vessels is permitted in principle, however such permission is considered on a case by case and will be based on risk analysis and a thorough study for the situation in particular in HRA, which is carried out by other government agencies.	http://mtt.gov.bh/en/ports-and-maritime
Belgium	Licensed PMSC-s only	Security guards and weapons need to be registered and pre-approved by the authorities.	http://www.ibz.be/news/nl/default.shtml
Bermuda	No guidance	The Bermuda Maritime Administration agrees with the content of IMO guidance to shipowners, ship operators, and shipmasters on the use of PCASP on board ships in the high risk area and recommends them to all owners and managers considering the engagement of private armed security teams to protect their ships. As with any other type of contractor it is important to undertake the usual due diligence.	http://www.bermudashipping.bm
Cayman Islands	No guidance	Shipowners, ship operators and ship Masters are to be guided by the provisions of MSC.1405/Rev.1 on Revised interim guidance to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the high risk area when considering the company that will provide armed personnel.	http://www.cishipping.com
Croatia	Licensed PMSC-s only	Security guards and weapons need to be registered and pre-approved by the authorities.	http://www.mppi.hr
Cyprus	Licensed PMSC-s only	Security guards and weapons need to be registered and pre-approved by the authorities.	www.shipping.gov.cy
Denmark	Single transit license	The shipping company hires a suitable security company, who will be issued a general permit. Permits are issued on a ship to ship, voyage by voyage basis and are approved by the Danish Ministry of Justice.	http://www.dma.dk/
Estonia	Licensed PMSC-s only	Company must hold valid activity license for guarding and protection of movable and immovable property, including a ship flying the national flag of Estonia entered in the ship's registration book maintained by an Estonian court.	http://www.vta.ee/
Faroe Islands	Single transit license	The Shipowners must request a letter from the flag-state authorities, which allows the carriage of weapons and security team on board. Special requirements for guards qualification apply.	NA
Finland	Single transit license	The approval procedure is based on the Firearms Act (1/1998) and the Government Decree on Private Security Services ( 543/2002). Licences are issued by the Police Administration.	http://www.trafi.fi/
Germany	Licensed PMSC-s only	All private security companies who wish to perform security functions to counter piracy on board ocean-going vessels sailing under German flag – independently of the place where their head office is established - will need a licence issued by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) as from 1 December 2013.	www.bafa.de
Gibraltar	Single transit license	The event that firearms are carried on board a Gibraltar registered ship, reference should be made to paragraphs 59-61 of MSC.1/Circ. 1334 and the ‘Interim Guidance to UK Flagged Shipping on the Use of Armed Guards to Defend Against the Threat of Piracy in Exceptional Circumstances’, dated November 2012, issued by the UK Dept of Transport.	http://www.gibraltarship.com/
Greek	Licensed PMSC-s only	On authorisation issued by the Chief of the Hellenic Coastguard, private armed guards may provide security services to commercial ships flying the Greek flag (hereinafter referred as “ships”) that do not carry out maritime cabotage voyages and sail seas exposed to the risk of piracy, for the protection of the passengers, the ship and the cargo from attacks constituting piracy, as this term is defined in articles 101 and 103 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Law 2321/1995 “Sanctioning of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention”, A 136).	http://www.hcg.gr
Hong Kong	Single transit license	The Shipowners must request a letter from the flag-state authorities, which allows the carriage of weapons and security team on board.	http//www.mardep.gov.hk
Isle of Man	Single transit license	Vetting and selection of a Private Security Provider remains the responsibility of the ship owner. The Master’s overriding authority for safety and security of the vessel should be established with the PSP.	http://www.gov.im/
Liberia	License for vessel	The Shipowner must take appropriate measures to verify the credibility and experience of the company, as detailed in MSA 03/2011 and the Guidance. Provisions relating to PCASP should be included in an Appendix to the Ship Security Plan (SSP).	http://www.liscr.com/
Lithuania	No guidance	Security company must be registered in EU, with no criminal charges, good experience according anti-piracy and security personnel on the vessel must be EU or Lithuanian nationality.	http://www.msa.lt/
Luxembourg	Licensed PMSC-s only	The use of private armed guards on board of Luxembourg flagged vessels has to be in accordance to the existing legislative framework and in order to apply for such an authorisation, a request has to be sent to the administration either by the shipowneror by the accredited shipping manager in charge of the concerned vessel.	http://www.maritime.lu
Malta	Single transit license	The Shipowner must request for approval from the Administration, which need to consist of details relating to the security personnel to be employed and related training; details of firearms and ammunition to be carried on board; details of the voyage plan requiring the employment of PCASP with their dis/embarkation plan detail;	http://www.dca.gov.mt
Marshall Islands	Single transit license	Carriage of Private Maritime Security guards is allowed under the Republic of Marshall Islands Firearms Control Act. The speficic risk assessment should be done prior the voyage and should include the IMO MSC.1/Circ.1405, Rev.1, Guidelines regarding the use of private contracted armed security personnel, and include discussions with charterers, legal counsel, underwriters, labour representatives and port officials.	https://www.register-iri.com/
Norway	Licensed PMSC-s only	Each shipping company chooses their partner for deliverance. Norwegian Maritime Authority can deny any company who shows lack of competence related to security service. Shipping companies need to do a vetting of the security company they want to use and send information regarding this vetting to NMA. All this information is according to local legislation in reg. of 22 June, 2004, no. 972.	http://www.sjofartsdir.no/en/about-the-norwegian-maritime-authority/
Panama	Licensed PMSC-s only	Security guards and weapons need to be registered and pre-approved by the authorities.	http://www.segumar.com/piracy-circulars/
Philippines	Single transit license	The owners have to submit a request for an approval letter to MARINA, which specific documentation required by the law. The PCASP on board can be considered as supernumerary on the ground that the definition of supernumerary found in MARINA Circular 182 can encompass PCASP in the manner that supernumerary and PCASP on board are necessary for a limited period of service engagement on board a specified Philippine registered ship without having to intervene on its control, management and navigation.	www.dotc.gov.ph
Saint Vincent and Grenadines	Single transit license	The private security guards company must sign an agreement with the vessel owner and apply for specific firearms licenses for each team member which will be issued by the Saint Vincend and Grenadines Maritime Administration, who will be used to protect the specific vessel thorugh the HRA transit.	http://www.svg-marad.com/
Singapore	Single transit license	IMO’s interim guidance to the industry needs to be taken into consideration on the use of PCASP, as contained in IMO MSC Circular 1405/Rev.2. The guidance is not intended to endorse or institutionalise the use of PCASP. It is to minimise the risk to the crew, the Master and the PCASP, as well as the overall risk to ships operating in the region.	www.mpa.gov.sg/
Sweden	Single transit license	The shipping company applies for a permit to use armed guards from a certain security company. The permit is specific to the ship, a geographical area and the security company that may be engaged. During the application process the Swedish Transport Agency evaluates the adequacy of the security company but does not issue a license for that company.	http://www.transportstyrelsen.se/
Switzerland	Single transit license	The shipping company applies for a permit to use armed guards from a certain security company.	www.smno.ch