USCG Updates Information on Foreign Nations’ Policies Towards Weapons on US-Flag Commercial Vessels

Last week, the US Coast Guard posted, on its Homeport website, an updated Port Information Matrix that summarizes available port state responses to a US State Department demarche requesting information on port state laws and restrictions on the carriage of self-defense weapons for vessels operating in high risk waters. The new matrix, an attachment to Port Security Advisory (PSA) (08-09) “Port State Responses to Request for Information Regarding Carriage and Transport of Self-Defense Weapons Aboard U.S. Commercial Vessels,” replaces a previous version that had been updated in May.
 
Since I can’t find where I might have saved previous versions of the Matrix, I’m relying on a very fallible memory to suggest the latest changes. I believe the listings for Djibouti, Guinea, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Oman, and Tanzania are new. Of these India and Tanzania allow neither weapons on board nor armed transits through the country between airports and vessels. The other countries permit both under conditions, which are summarized in the new matrix.
 
To access the new matrix, or PSA (08-09), go to Homeport, click on “Counter Piracy” under “Featured Homeport Links” at the top of the right side of the page. On the Counter Piracy page, scroll down to “PSA (8-09): Port State Response to Request for Information Regarding Carriage and Transport of Self-Defense Weapons Aboard U.S. Commercial Vessels and Port Information document.” Clicking on that will provide a choice of PDF links for the updated Port Information Matrix and for PSA (08-09).
By Professional Mariner Staff