The Scandinavian Approach to Private Maritime Security—A Regulatory Façade?

Abstract

This article analyzes the legislative processes and the creation of security governance structures in a recent move by Scandinavian countries to authorize the use of armed guards on commercial vessels. Findings reveal that while there are many similarities, the cases (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) differ in terms of government control, oversight, and governance of private security providers, as well as in the management of firearms and the use of force. The article concludes that all three countries have adopted an approach that creates a "semblance" of state control and regulation but which also entails substantial delegation of authority to private actors.

The market and the military profession: competition and change in the case of Sweden

“…Also, in 2013, new legislation was put in place to allow for the use of armed guards on board Swedish-flagged ships. 53 In sum, Sweden has gradually embraced international security outsourcing trends and PMSCs have become more accepted as security/military experts by political and military elites.…”

Armed On-board Protection of Danish Vessels Authorisation and Use of Force in Self-defence in a Legal Perspective

“…45 For practical reasons, this timespan was subject to continuous industry criticism, as the level of flexibility did not match the business model of shipping. 46 To fully understand the individual license's lack of flexibility and the reason for ship owners becoming more vocal, it is essential to understand some features pertaining to the carriage of goods by sea. There are many ways in which a ship can be utilised in trade, and the decisive factors are related to economic incentives.…”

A Study on Peception of Seafarers on Private Maritime Security Companies: Perspective of Turkey

“…Bu incelemeyi devletlerin güç kullanma yetkisini devretmesi ve güvenliğin dış kaynaklar ile sağlanması sonucu oluşabilecek aşırı güç kullanımı gibi olumsuzların üzerinde durarak geliştirmişlerdir. Buna ek olarak İskandinav ülkelerinin özel güvenlik politikaları ile özel deniz güvenlik konusunda izledikleri tutumları karşılaştırarak ÖDGŞ yasaları konusunda atılan adımlar araştırma kapsamında görülmektedir [7]. Bürgin (2014) ise, İspanya'nın deniz haydutluğu mücadelesini ve ÖDGŞ konusunda izlediği özgün yöntemin yasal dayanaklarını inceleyerek, ticari gemilerde SÖGGP bulunması konusu üzerinde durmuştur.…”