Fiddling while Rome burns

“We offer a service out of our Fujairah facility which encompasses the installation of a combination of razor wire and hoistable spikes which effectively prevents the boarding of merchant vessels by pirates,” he explained. “We have already kitted out 24 Vela VLCCs, six Prisco VLCCs and six more VLCCs each belonging to Teekay and Chevron.”

“I realise there are complex issues relating to the deployment of armed guards on merchant vessels, and the commitment of naval vessels, but in the meantime there are immediate steps owners can take to protect their vessels and crews. International shipping is fiddling while Rome burns,” Friedberg added.

As Arndt Strandene, head of Goltens in Fujairah explained, “After the 318,000 dwt VLCC Sirius Star was hijacked in November 2008, the Saudi owner company asked what preventive measures could be put in place quickly, and without ship delay.