Since the BIMCO update on the use of GUARDCON in late 2016, so called End-User-Certificates provided by several PMSC have been cause of concern for ship owners as well as port state authorities around the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean area.
While the use value of such documents in terms of legal compliance is doubtful and may have caused criminal investigation proceedings against unserious PMSC not only in the port states of Africa or the Middle East but also in Europe, the specific tripwires for ship owners and charters to recognize the illegal use of firearms onboard there vessels has been only vague.
The recent publication of the Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS) referring consolidated regulations for Private Ship Security Companies is providing an solid overview of „red flag“ indicators for the use of EUCs, which are not limited for the use of PCASP onboard vessels under the flag of Cyprus:
„Some common defects found in the Export Licenses /End User Certificates and the firearms’ purchase invoices, which must be avoided, are:
Further information can be found in the DMS Circular No.9/2017, which can be downloaded by the link below.
Hauptniederlassung Sittensen / Deutschland
Lindenstr. 11, 27419 Sittensen / Deutschland / Europa
Postfach 1417, 27416 Sittensen / Deutschland / Europa
Tel.: +49 4282 59 40 798
E-Mail: info@ibs-ops.com
Zweigniederlassung Hamburg / Deutschland
Georgsplatz 1, 4. Etage
20099 Hamburg, Deutschland, Europa
Hafencity Operations Office
Überseeallee 1, 2. Etage, 20457 Hamburg
Tel.: +49 40 879 79 85 0
E-Mail: hamburg@ibs-ops.com
Repräsentanz Florida / USA
66 West Flagger Street, Suite 900, Downtown Miami
Miami / Florida 33130
United States of America
Tel.: +1 7867430733
E-Mail: miami@ibs-ops.com
Repräsentanz Maskat / Sultanat von Oman
Tamina Building, 02. Stock
Al Nahdha Road, Wattaya, P.O. Box 395
PC 118 Maskat / Sultanat von Oman / Mittlerer Osten
Tel.: +968 2466 7782
E-Mail: muscat@ibs-ops.com
Repräsentanz Singapur / Singapur
3 Temasek Avenue
Centennial Tower / Level 21 / 039190 Singapore
Republik Singapore / Asien
Tel: +65 65 49 72 09
E-Mail: singapore@ibs-ops.com
Repräsentanz Vilnius / Lithuania
Gedimino pr.20
Vilnius, Lithuania, LT-01103
Ost Europa
Tel: +370 520 78892
E-Mail: vilnius@ibs-ops.com