The Swedish shipping company Wallenius is now using security guards armed with automatic weapons onboard its shipping vessels. The government launched a study in April
to find out whether or not Swedish vessels could use armed guards to protect themselves against pirates.
But Wallenius says it is necessary to hire armed guards before the government's investigation has been completed.
"It's a development that no one wanted but we feel forced to do this. But if weapons are onboard they should be handled by professionals," the head of Ocean Safety for Wallenius, Peter Jodin, tells Swedish Radio News.
The organization representing Swedish ship-owners was initially against the hiring of armed security guards, but they changed their position after several brutal attacks this winter in the Indian Ocean off Somalia.
Source: Sverigeradio
