Shipping & Transport, Cyprus
Introduction
The Protection of Cyprus Ships Against Acts of Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts Law 2012 restricts the provision of private security services on board Cyprus ships to contractors approved by the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS).1
Article 22 of the law sets out the provisions for the DMS to issue a private ship security contractor (PSSC) with a certificate confirming that it is allowed to implement security measures on Cyprus ships, provided that the ship's operator holds the necessary authorisation from the DMS. A list of certified PSSCs can be found on the DMS website.
There are currently 37 certified PSSCs, all of which possess certificates that are due to expire before the end of 2017. The DMS has announced the following renewal procedure in order to streamline the process.
Renewal procedure
At least 15 days before the expiration date of its certificate, the PSSC must submit a completed application form, signed by the person responsible for the company and accompanied by the prescribed information sheet detailing all up-to-date information required by the Sixth Schedule of the law. The application form and information sheet are both available to download from the DMS website. The completed documents must then be submitted to the DMS either online or by post.
The fee for a renewal application for up to 80 private ship security guards is €2,000, with an additional €50 payable for each additional guard.2
As part of the renewal process, the DMS is authorised to undertake an inspection of the PSSC's premises, under Article 77 of the law.
Footnotes
1 Law 77(I) 2012.
2 Under the Protection of Cyprus Ships Against Act of Piracy (Determination of Fees) notification PI 494 2012.
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