Diplomatic Row Over Shooting of Indian Fishermen by Italian Armed Guards

Two Italian marines, Latorre Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, are in an Indian jail awaiting trial for the alleged murder of two Indian fisherman. They are at the center of a legal & diplomatic fight over the use of armed guards … Continue reading

Armed Guards on Merchant Ships, the New Norm in Pirate Waters?

British Prime Minister David Cameron recently announced that armed guards would be allowed to be carried on British merchant ships transiting off the coast of Somalia.   Shipping firms will now be able to apply for a license to carry guards armed with automatic weapons, … Continue reading

Maersk Alabama Attacked for the Third Time – Will Armed Guards on Merchant Ships Become the Norm?

This week the Maersk Alabama was attacked by pirates for the third time in the last two years.    In April of 2009, pirates boarded the Maersk containership and took her captain, Richard Phillips, hostage.  He was later rescued when Navy sharpshooters … Continue reading