I have co-workers that were taken hostage in Nigeria and work for a company that has gone through this before. IMO, Internationals would be a bit quicker to concede to pirate demands than their American counter-parts. International ships are just that... their crews are made up with people from multiple nations that share little in common except for where they work.

US flagged vessels must be crewed by Americans. There is a greater sense of family on US vessels; hence I can understand the response on the Maesrk ship.

Shipping companies generally do not want to arm crews as historically pirates don't hurt people... they come onboard, beat their chests, still your shit and leave. When you start arming sailors - folks that are not trained in anti-piracy measures (and really shouldn't be) - it results in increased dangers to the crew. Pirates aren't rational. They may look well-armed but their weapons and skills are weak. They are uneducated. Mix this together and it's a recipe for someone to get shot.

Staging security forces on ships presents the same risks... you're really upping the ante.