Shipping firms call for Red Sea vessels to have armed guards

Dutch shipping firms have urged the defence ministry to permit armed guards on their vessels to counter the threat of attacks from Houthi fighters in the Red Sea. The ship owners’ association KNVR says the Netherlands is out of step with other countries in not arranging armed guards or escorts by naval vessels. The problem is compounded by restrictions in Dutch law that ban ship owners from hiring private security teams if there is no military support available, which they...