Private Maritime Security Company (PMSC) licence

Applying for a PMSC licence

1. The application for a PMSC licence has 3 stages.

   1. Stage 1: Filing part 1 of the PMSC licence application form

      In the first part of the application form, you need to enter your company details and upload the following attachments:

      • ISO 9001:2015 certicifate: Quality management systems – requirements (valid for at least 6 months)
      • ISO 28000:2007 certificate: Specification for security management systems for the supply chain (valid for at least 6 months)
      • ISO 28007:2015 certificate: Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) (valid for at least 6 months)
      • Certificate of incorporation (not older than 6 months)
      • Proof of ownership (ultimate beneficial owner, UBO)
      • Criminal record certificate for each management team member
      • Audit certificate
      • Maritime anti-piracy certificate from country of domicile (if held)
      • Retainer agreement drafted by a legal adviser
      • Insurance certificates
      • Certificate of membership of professional organisations such as ICoCA, SCEG (if available)
      • Overview of key suppliers of equipment such as Vessel-Based Armories (VBAs)
      • At least 3 recent client testimonials
      • Organisational structure overview
      • Top management’s job descriptions
      • A certificate or letter of good standing from the Chamber of Commerce where your company is established
      • A certificate or letter of good standing from your bank
      • UK Open General Trade Control Licence (OGTCL) for overseas territories (if applicable)

      The ILT will email you a confirmation of receipt and get back to you if you need to share any other details.

   2. Stage 2: Filing part 2 of the PMSC licence application form

      If the ILT has approved stage 1 of your application, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to continue your application. You will need to provide and upload follow-up information regarding your:

      • Quality policy
      • Ethics policy
      • Health and safety policy (including temporary protocols such as regarding Covid-19)
      • Security and risk management policy
      • Recruitment and training policy
      • Arms policy (including storage, maintenance and disposal)
      • Key suppliers due diligence
      • Quality assurance process
      • Document control process
      • Continuous improvement process
      • Management review process
      • Internal auditing process
      • Incident reporting and investigation process
      • Crisis management plan
      • Root cause analysis procedure
      • Voyage procedures / instructions for PCASP
      • Internal/external communications (including embarkation and disembarkation forms for PCASP)
      • Complaints procedure
      • Whistleblowing procedure
      • Rules for the use of force
      • Emergency response plan
      • Human resources management
      • Recruitment standards
      • Recruitment directive to manning agencies (if applicable)
      • Initial training procedure (course syllabus/training directive to training agency)
      • Team Leader (TL) promotion policy
      • TL training procedure
      • Team Member (TM), TL and Team Medic annual refresher training matrix
      • Sighting
      • Procedures and policies for equipment and materials maintenance
      • Firearms licences or End User Certificates (EUCs)

      The ILT will get back to you if you need to share any other details.

      It is recommended that you brief your Private Company Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) on the flag-specific procedures during stage 2. This way, the ILT can grant the permit immediately after stage 3 so you can deploy right away.

   3. Stage 3: On-site company audit

      If the ILT has approved stages 1 and 2 of your application, you will be contacted for an appointment for a company audit at your business premises. This is to check how your company performs in comparison to the documentation you provided earlier.