Armed Guards Authorised

The Indian Government has authorised the deployment of armed guards aboard Indian flagged merchant vessels. Guidelines regarding the use of armed security details have been released to ship owners and operators.

Armed Guards for Merchant Ships

Guidelines have been issued for deployment of armed security guards on board Indian flag Merchant Ships. The Indian ship owners are, accordingly, free to deploy armed security guards.

Naval escort is provided to the ships in the Gulf of Aden. Besides, there are naval ships of different countries patrolling in the piracy affected area, which coordinate with each other through various multi-national and bilateral initiatives so as to combat the menace of piracy. The Indian Navy is providing enhanced vigil in the Indian EEZ and westward up to 65 degree east longitude.

In addition, the following steps have also been taken in this regard:-

• Banning of sailing vessels to ply in waters south or west of the line joining Salalah and Male.
• Active participation of India in the International Maritime Organization, Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) and other international fora.
• Constitution of an inter-ministerial group of officers to deal with any hostage situation arising out of hijacking at sea of merchant vessels with Indian crew on board.

The above information was given by the Union Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Source: Indian Government Press Bureau