Updates to GUARDCON guidance to reinforce importance of validating firearms EUCs
Overview
Updating guidance notes for GUARDCON.
BIMCO press release
BIMCO updates GUARDCON guidance notes to reinforce importance of validating firearms end user certificates.
BIMCO, the world’s largest international shipping association, has today voiced serious concerns about the apparently sizeable number of private maritime security firms (PMSCs) that are operating on ships without legitimate permits and licences to transport and carry weapons.
BIMCO has been made aware that some PMSCs are using weapons “rented” or “borrowed” from other security companies. This is an illegal practice because the weapons are not legitimately licenced to the end user. It is being done to save on operating costs to undercut legitimately operated PMSCs.
To drive home the importance of validating end user licences BIMCO has updated the guidance on Clause 10 of GUARDCON to clarify the responsibilities of owners and contractors in respect of permits and licences. Under a number of recognised international conventions, the firearms End User Certificate (EUC) has to be officially authorised by a government agency from the exporting country. The conventions also require the ship’s flag state to verify the authenticity of the EUC before issuing letters of authority (to allow the ship to have the weapons on board). The consequences for owners whose flag state fails to verify the authenticity of firearms EUCs before issuing letters of authority could be significant delays to the ship or even ship detentions.
Giles Noakes, Head of Maritime Security at BIMCO, said:
“This is an extremely important issue for the industry and parties should take very careful note of the legal obligations under GUARDCON for the carriage of firearms on board merchant ships.
“Flag states have an essential role to play in verifying the EUCs of private maritime security companies to ensure that everyone complies with the legal framework.”
Ends
For more details, please contact Gemma Wilkie, Communications Director at BIMCO on:
(Direct) +45 4436 6836, (Mobile) +45 2442 9781 or pr@bimco.org.
Notes to Editors
- BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association, with 2,200 members in around 130 countries.
- We provide a wide range of services to our global membership – which includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents.
- BIMCO’s core objective is to facilitate the commercial operations of our members by developing standard contracts and clauses, and providing quality information, advice and education.
- BIMCO promotes fair business practices, free trade and open access to markets and we are a strong advocate for the harmonisation and standardisation of all shipping related activity.
- BIMCO actively promotes the application of globally agreed regulatory instruments – we are accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations agencies and other regulatory entities.
Download RELATED Documents
-
Explanatory notes update 2017 0.2 MB
Download now
Feedback or a question about this information?
Posted:
31 October 2016
VPS Bunker Alerts
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
Latest ice reports for members
Latest piracy reports
Latest industry releasable threats
Related event
SHADE 52 Conference
- Manama,Bahrain
- 16 December, 2024
Jakob P. Larsen, BIMCO’s Chief Safety & Security Officer, will attend the 52nd SHADE (Shared Awareness and De-confliction) Conference in Bahrain.
ELSEWHERE ON BIMCO
Contracts & Clauses
All of BIMCO's most widely used contracts and clauses as well as advice on managing charters and business partners.
Learn about your cargo
For general guidance and information on cargo-related queries.
BIMCO Publications
Want to buy or download a BIMCO publication? Use the link to get access to the ballast water management guide, the ship master’s security manual and many other publications.
About a new business partner
We can help members check new business partners. We also help to recover millions of USD (undisputed) funds every year.
