By
Rebecca Gibson |
Members of the European Parliament have called for stricter regulations protecting vessels from piracy, suggesting fresh laws involving the use of armed guards aboard ships.
The issue, which many see as a growing problem, is estimated to cost around US$12 billion a year and has spread from the coast of Somalia to as far as India, Sri Lanka and Mozambique with high profile cases making headlines around the world.
At a hearing in Brussels on Wednesday (12 October) MEPs said that all member states should be allowed to carry private armed guards.
Henry Billingham, the UK foreign minister, said that he hopes to change a policy that strongly discourages the use of private security on British ships, adding that he was wary of “cowboy” security firms.
The regulations will bring unity to member states that currently operate under different legislation.
“This is a very profitable, growing business,” said Peter van Dalen, co-chairman of the European Parliament’s first anti-piracy hearing, when talking to the Financial Times. “An average pirate in a five year ‘career’ could earn $200,000-$400,000 and we need stronger answers: we have to step up the military effort, the money issue and increase the sense of urgency.”