IMO develops guidelines for port and coastal States on armed guards 

The increased use of armed guards to counter piracy in the Indian Ocean presents port and coastal States in the area with a number of challenges. Therefore, the IMO has drawn up guidelines recommending that port and coastal States develop a policy and procedures on how to deal with armed guards and arms on ships calling at their ports. A number of conditions to be considered when developing the policy are recommended, such as documentation of the flag State’s permit for having guards on board, requirements on the safe storage of arms and on control.

A questionnaire was also drawn up for port and coastal States on their regulations and requirements in connection with armed guards and arms on board ships. It is the expectation that this may create a greater overview of the regulations applicable in each individual port and coastal State, which may contribute to facilitating shipping and ensuring rule compliance.

Furthermore, a working group under the so-called Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) decided to work on guidelines for the security companies delivering armed guards for protecting against acts of piracy.

The entire summary from the meetings is available here.