Independent journal on economy and transport policy
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Germany May Loosen Shipping Laws
(Spiegel)
April 13, 2012
By Simone Utler Spiegel
Using private security firms to protect ships from Somali pirates has long been a legal gray area in Germany. Conceding that it doesn't have enough soldiers to do the job, the German government is considering a draft law allowing shipowners to deploy private armed guards. But there's one caveat: Security personnel would be limited to using semi-automatic firearms.
Shipping companies and Western governments have been struggling with the problem of piracy off the Horn of Africa for years. It's becoming increasingly clear that the only really effective solution involves having private security forces on board who are prepared to repel attacks with firearms if necessary -- as a recent viral Internet video of guards apparently shooting Somali pirates graphically illustrates ...... Read more on Spiegel
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