I agree the vessels should have better defence, but pouring money into arming cargo ships to save a few TVs is hardly worth it.
Instead use that money to:
-Add GPS tracking to the valuable cargo -Improve insurance policies, which they probably already have -Maybe start by using a more secure CMS -Lock down the cargo better, so plasma cutter etc would be required to open -Encrypt cargo labeling, where decryption key is not onboard
These are just some 5 second ideas which may not stop pirates but should at least slow them down.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree the vessels should have better defence, but pouring money into arming cargo ships to save a few TVs is hardly worth it.
Instead use that money to:
-Add GPS tracking to the valuable cargo
-Improve insurance policies, which they probably already have
-Maybe start by using a more secure CMS
-Lock down the cargo better, so plasma cutter etc would be required to open
-Encrypt cargo labeling, where decryption key is not onboard
These are just some 5 second ideas which may not stop pirates but should at least slow them down.
Guns are really just a barbaric form of defense.
Rename it to lollyswipe, problem solved, assuming lolly is not a trade mark