"We have prepared draft amendments to the law on the security and protection of ships and ports, making it possible for shipping companies to board armed escort on vessels for voyages through piracy prone areas, and permits for that will be issued by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure," Babic was quoted by Radio Split as saying.
The amendments will enact recommendations of the International Maritime Organisation authorising countries to have armed escorts on ships facing the threat of pirate attacks.
Babic explained that this did not mean that ships and crews would be armed but that they would have armed escorts when necessary.
According to him, a survey shows that 88 per cent of Croatian seamen are in favour of armed escort.
He recalled that so far, 230 Croatian sailors had already experienced pirate assaults.
Babic ruled out the possibility of Croatian soldiers escorting vessels in piracy prone areas, explaining that this would be a too complicated procedure requiring changes to the Constitution.