Piracy - Performance of PMSCs and PCASPs

Translations: Chinese  

Many Members now place Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) aboard their vessels when sailing through the High Risk Area after signing an agreement with a Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) following a favourable contract review by the Managers.

The number of PMSCs offering such services has grown significantly in recent years, and the market continues to be flooded with new entrants. However, although the terms of the contract may be acceptable, this does not necessarily mean that the armed guards or the security company itself will perform to expectations.

Members who are unsatisfied with the performance of a PMSC or PCASP are invited to report their concerns to the Loss Prevention Department. Such concerns may include: 

• Failure to follow the agreed Rules for the Use of Force (RUF)
• Questionable leadership
• Inappropriate firing, handling or storage of weapons
• Improper watchkeeping
• Guards who appear to be inadequately trained
• Reckless or unsatisfactory behaviour
• Inadequate language skills
• Refusal to sign Visitors’ Passes
• Late arrival at the pre-arranged boarding point
• Hidden costs

The Loss Prevention Department will be maintaining a record of all such reports.

Before selecting a particular PMSC, Members may wish to contact the Loss Prevention Department beforehand to check if any such reports have been received. However, Members should be mindful that the absence of negative feedback does not necessarily mean that the PMSC in question will perform well, nor does it obviate the need for Members to follow the vetting process set out in Section 2.3 of MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.1.