The Use of Armed Force by Private Maritime Security Companies: Dynamics of Boundaries and Specifics of Legal Regulation in the Modern World
Today, maritime piracy and the closely related problem of terrorism are a serious global threat, primarily for countries that have access to the open sea and the World Ocean, including the Russian Federation. Armed protection of civilian vessels by employees of private maritime security companies is one of the most effective ways to counter this threat from the international community. The article deals with the phenomenon of using private marine security companies to ensure the safety of merchant ships in marine areas. The article examines the legal nature of this phenomenon and gives a legal assessment of the activities of private security companies in countering pirate attacks and armed sea robbery. The dynamics of the boundaries of legal regulation of the activities of private marine security companies at the international and national levels, including in the context of its identity with the activities of private military and security companies, is determined. Considerable emphasis is placed on problematic issues of legal regulation of their use of armed force. Particular attention is paid to various guidelines governing the use of force by armed security personnel at sea. Examples of both lawful and illegal use of weapons, as well as non-violent actions to counter the seizure of a ship are considered. The authors substantiate the conclusion that it is necessary to improve the legal regulation of private marine security activities at the international and national levels, taking into account its specifics, as well as the existing trend of tightening control over the work of private marine security companies.