How about a disposable combat drone launcher system built into a standard cargo container? The device could remain inert until needed, but be activated on request from the crew. If the movie Captain Phillips accurately portrayed the piracy threat, then several smaller drones might be able to act as a deterrent. (Particularly if a TrackingPoint like weapon were incorporated.)
Requiring at least one crew member trained in its use and putting a portable military-grade weapons system on every container ship.
A small crew of armed marines or mercenaries and perhaps some heavier stuff built into the ship would also work. The answer is though that it's not economically sensible today. (Which is actually a good thing because it means piracy is not that huge a problem in the scheme of things.)
Requiring at least one crew member trained in its use
Just plain false. Reading comprehension? I stated that the crew would have to make a request to have it launched. It could be remotely piloted by a US military organization or similar.
putting a portable military-grade weapons system on every container ship.
Remove the ability for the crew to operate it, and this ceases to be an insurmountable problem.
A small crew of armed marines or mercenaries and perhaps some heavier stuff built into the ship would also work.
And be much more expensive. My solution just required an extra half container be loaded and offloaded, plus routine inspection and maintenance. Mercenaries would entail big salaries, which was the whole point of my suggestion.
You could probably have these mass produced for 100's of thousands. You wouldn't even need to put them on all ships. Just put them on a large fraction of them. I think the stock could be operated for less expense than a few ransoms of a large ship.
