Privately contracted armed security personnel
Conditions for maritime security companies
Shipping companies that want to deploy privately contracted armed security personnel on board seagoing vessels flying the German flag must take the following into account:
Licenses for maritime security companies
The maritime security company where the privately contracted armed security personnel is employed requires a licence by the BAFA (Federal Office of Economics and Export Control). The BAFA, in co-operation with the German Federal Police, is responsible for licensing. The sole contact partner for maritime security companies is the BAFA.
You can find further information on maritime vessel protection on the website of the BAFA under "Foreign Trade". You will also find a list of currently licensed security companies as well as further information on the application procedure.
Legal permit for carrying weapons for security companies
In addition, all security companies need a licence under the Export Control Law; also known as "Waffenbesitzkarte" (as per section 28a of the German Weapons Act). For further information and contact details please refer to the website of the BAFA under Licence under Weapons Act (last item under the heading "Application Procedure").
Addendum to the ship security plan of the ship
For the deployment of privately contracted armed security personnel on board of a ship under the German flag, a shipping company, or another company, requires an approved addendum to the ship security plan (as per German Ordinance on Shipboard Security Measures). Such an approval is issued by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). Its maximum period of validity is two years and it is mostly intended to ensure that:
- only privately contracted armed personnel of security companies approved by the BAFA are deployed on board, and
- the „Interim guidance to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area“ (MSC.1/Circ. 1405/Rev.2) is observed.
Follow the link for
You have to personally sign the application form for the approval of the addendum to the SSP, but you can subsequently scan and e-mail it to the BSH.
Reporting obligations
The deployment of privately contracted armed security personnel on board of ships flying the German flag must be reported to the German Point of Contact (PoC) in Cuxhaven. Furthermore, shipping companies are obliged to report their seagoing ships passing sea areas under piracy threat (sea areas of security levels 2 or 3) to the established international reporting systems (MSCIO, UKMTO). Here you can find further information on the Reporting Obligations.
