Private maritime security firms spark concerns

These days, when seafarers get together to toast over the falling piracy attacks in the Horn of Africa, they end up worrying about something that has guaranteed their safety too — the increased hiring of private security by ships.

The private security, which provides additional protection beyond the joint military patrols conducted by international navy forces, costs merchant ships an average of Sh2.3 million ($21,700) per month. And they are apparently paying off.