Web alert: BIMCO urges operators/owners to check their PMSC weapons licenses and permits

The BIMCO Security Advisory on PMSC Weapons Licenses and Permits issued on 20 January 2015 has highlighted concerns that a small number of private military and security companies (PMSCs) may be operating contrary to GUARDCON and the conditions of their weapons licences and permits, by leasing their weapons to other PMSCs.

BIMCO continues to urge members to exercise due diligence in checking that their chosen security company is operating with valid permits and licences.  This means that owners and operators should carefully check the security company named in the weapons’ 'End User Certificate'.  PMSCs are required to provide certificates that match the name of the security company stated in GUARDCON, or any other contract employed for the transit covered. 

BIMCO also advises members to check the End User Certificate to ensure that the serial numbers of the weapons to be used match the ones used by the PMSC  embarked. 

If the name of the PMSC on the certificate does not match, or the weapon serial numbers to be used are not listed on the certificate, then the validity of the licence and the PMSC handling the weapons is suspect. A mismatch of names indicates that the PMSC is not legitimately certified to use the weapons. This is a breach not only of the End User Certificate but also GUARDCON.

It has been reported to BIMCO that weapons covered with an originally legitimate end user licence are being leased to third parties and indeed in some cases sub leased again. 

Further information is available on the BIMCO website.