EU short of ships to combat piracy

Defence Web further quotes Swedish General Hakan Syren, chairman of the EU's Military Committee, as saying the shortage would be a "problem". Somali pirates have raked in ransoms worth millions of dollars and are currently holding 10 vessels and 243 crew members hostage.

A report earlier this year estimated global shipping losses through piracy at between $7-billion and $12-billion this year.

Defence Web reports that in a separate development, the Baltic and International Maritime Council, which represents 65% of world shipping, is proceeding with the development of a standard contract for the employment of armed guards on board ships.

It is just one of many ramifications involved in deploying armed personnel on board ships travelling through international waters.

For more:

• Defence Web: EU faces warship shortage for Somali piracy mission
  
• Defence Web: Shippers mull armed guard ramifications