Arming merchant vessels: enhancing or imperilling maritime safety and security

The substantial rise in the threat of attacks against shipping off the coast of Somalia from 2008 prompted a range of counter-piracy efforts. Among these measures the embarkation of privately contracted armed security personnel (pcasp) has been credited as having played an important role in the recent reduction in ‘pirate’ attacks. Despite considerable reluctance on the part of the shipping industry, the use of pcasp has become increasingly prevalent giving rise to practical and legal concerns over this practice. The advent of the use of pcasp is set in context, efforts towards their regulation outlined and problematic issues highlighted