http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11379140&ref=rss
Control over anti-pirate weapon ships urgently needed, agency warns
By Jamie Campbell, Harry Davies
5:00 AM Friday Dec 26, 2014
Floating armouries - ships packed to the gunnels with machineguns,
ammunition and other military equipment - are operating in
international waters with a "worrying lack" of regulation, warns a
report that says the vessels could pose a threat to regional peace and
stability.
The armouries were set up to supply private security guards employed
to protect shipping from pirates, particularly off the East African
coast. The report, commissioned by the Remote Control Project, a body
that raises awareness of new military trends, said there was an
"urgent need" for an international agreement to set minimum standards.
It also said there should be frequent safety checks and firms should
not be allowed to use flags of convenience issued by nations
blacklisted for low maritime standards. The number of floating
armouries is unknown as no international register exists.
The report, written by the Omega Research Foundation think-tank, lists
33 vessels, but there could be more. Eight sail under the flag of
landlocked and blacklisted Mongolia.
The report noted the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and
Eritrea had "raised concerns that ... floating armouries and private
maritime security companies could represent a threat to regional peace
and stability.
"None of the vessels used as floating armouries has been purpose-built
as an armoury; instead, they are adapted craft. As a result, vessels
may not have safe and secure storage for arms and ammunition," the
report said.
Andrew Smith, a spokesman for the UK-based organisation Campaign
Against Arms Trade, said: "Unfortunately, it is characteristic of an
illegitimate and immoral arms industry that receives very little
scrutiny and oversight ... Putting more weapons into unstable
environments can bring unforeseen and deadly consequences."
MNG Maritime, a London-based company, has a floating armoury based off
Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman and another due to be deployed in the Red
Sea next year.
Mark Gray, MNG's director, said he would welcome more transparency in
the industry, and backed the idea of a new international safety
standard. "Overall, the [Omega] report was completely fair. Companies
must stop exploiting countries with 'black-classification', which
means they can get away with the bar set very, very low for safety,"
he said.
"It would be very sensible to put this power in the hands of the
International Maritime Organisation."
- Independent
By Jamie Campbell, Harry Davies
Received on Fri Dec 26 2014 - 16:12:40 EST