France will allow private security forces to protect its shipping fleet against the threat of piracy, according to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

According to Reuters, France is one of the main contributors to an international naval force that patrols the waters off Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean to thwart pirate attacks. Ayrault says that the move would put the French shipping fleet on a better footing with European competitors, and the private security teams would complement the navy’s missions.

However, there are still no industry guidelines or agreements among countries on the use of lethal force by anti-piracy security teams, whether military or private, the article says.