IMB: Pirate attacks on the rise in the first half of 2011

[News_Editor]

IMB: Pirate attacks on the rise in the first half of 2011

2011-07-14 15:40:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- Pirate attacks on the world's seas totaled 266 in the first six months of 2011, up from 196 incidents in the same period last year, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) Piracy Reporting Center (PRC) reported on Thursday.

The report, Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships, showed more than 60 percent of the attacks were carried out by Somali pirates, a majority of which were in the Arabian Sea. As of June 30, Somali pirates were holding 20 vessels and 420 crew, and demanding ransoms of millions of dollars for their release.

"In the last six months, Somali pirates attacked more vessels than ever before and they're taking higher risks," said IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. "This June, for the first time, pirates fired on ships in rough seas in the Indian Ocean during the monsoon season. In the past, they would have stayed away in such difficult conditions. Masters should remain vigilant."

In the first six months, many of the attacks have been east and north-east of the Gulf of Aden, an area frequented by crude oil tankers sailing from the Arabian Gulf, as well as other traffic sailing into the Gulf of Aden. Since May 20 there have been 14 vessels attacked in the Southern Red Sea. "It is necessary that shipboard protection measures are in place as they sail through this area," said Mukundan.

But although Somali pirates are more active - 163 attacks this year up from 100 in the first six months of 2010 - they managed to hijack fewer ships, just 21 in the first half of 2011 compared with 27 in the same period last year. This, the report says, is both thanks to increased ship hardening and to the actions of international naval forces to disrupt pirate groups off the east coast of Africa.

"It is vital that this naval presence be sustained or increased," the report asserts.

Somali pirates took 361 sailors hostage and kidnapped 13 in the first six months of 2011. Worldwide, 495 seafarers were taken hostage. Pirates killed seven people and injured 39. Ninety-nine vessels were boarded, 76 fired upon and 62 thwarted attacks were reported.

Ships, including oil and chemical tankers, are increasingly being attacked with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade launchers. Whereas five years ago pirates were just as likely to brandish a knife as a gun, this year guns were used in 160 attacks and knives in 35.

A surge in particularly violent and highly organized attacks has hit the coast of West Africa this year, says IMB's piracy report, listing 12 attacks on tankers off Benin since March, an area where no incidents were reported in 2010. Five vessels were hijacked and forced to sail to unknown locations, where pirates ransacked and stole the vessel's equipment, and part of their product oil cargoes. Six more tankers were boarded, mainly in violent armed robbery style attacks, and one attempted attack was reported.

In neighboring Nigeria, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre was informed of three boardings, two vessels being fired upon, and one attempted attack. The crew were beaten and threatened. Ship's equipment and crew's personal effects were stolen. But IMB says that in reality, the seas around Nigeria are more dangerous than the official reports suggest. The organization is aware of at least 11 other incidents that were not reported to the Piracy Reporting Center by ships' masters or owners.

Overall, 50 incidents were recorded for Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore Straits and the South China Seas in the first two quarters of 2011. Three tugs were hijacked by armed pirates and 41 vessels were boarded.

While the number of pirate attacks have risen sharply in recent years, most hijackings usually end without casualties after a ransom has been paid. This often takes many months and depends on whether the owner is able or willing to pay it.

The longest currently ongoing hijacking, according to EUNAVFOR, is that of the Panama-flagged MV Iceberg 1 which was hijacked on March 29, 2010, with 24 crew members. One of the hostages has since committed suicide while others are said to be mentally ill.

According to a recent study, maritime piracy cost the global economy up to $12 billion last year, with Somalia-based pirates responsible for 95 percent of the costs.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-14

[Mrjlh]

Let's start a fleet of "heavily armed" decoys. Pull a few freighters out of "mothball" fleet and a few tankers. Fill the ballasts with water so they sit low in the water. Beef up engines so they can maneuver quickly. Arm them with few a 105mm recoiless rifles, a few dozen of mini guns, well disguised behind armor plate and set sail under different flags. Set up video survillence for both day and night tracking. When they become under attack and get within 200 meters, no more pirate or pirate ship. No mercy... no prisoners.

[slapout]

May be the only solution Mrjih. A friend of mine who is involved in safe guarding ships in the Arabian sea area told me that the Insurance companies are largely responsible, for non lethal defense employed by most of the shipping companies. Guess they figure the ransoms paid are less than lose of cargo/life payment.

Hell of a way for the system to work, an insurance company setting rules of engagement, based on economics.

[mpoppel]

Note the hijacking of the MV Iceberg 1 with its 24 crew members. Hijacked almost 1.5 years ago now! One of the crew already killed himself and the media is ignoring the story.. I read a story saying the owner doesn't care about the ship or its crew since they'll get more money from their insurance anyway? At least they aren't even talking to the families of the crew members.. very sad.

[maidu]

Russian military ship (?) captures Somali pirate ship. Displays weapons found, then sets fire to Somali ship with all hands on board.

. . . . . . . . . . . 7 minute video

addendum. Because the video has Russian language, it's unclear whether the pirates are on board their ship when it's torched, or whether they were brought on board the Russian vessel.

Edited July 17, 2011 by maidu