Aggressive patrolling has deterred piracy in Somalia: Experts

Thursday, September 19, 2013

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Piracy in open waters off the coast of Somalia has dropped significantly as a result of aggressive patrolling by international naval forces coupled with the use of private armed security contractors onboard vessels, experts said.

Piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia have now plummeted to the lowest levels since 2006 as a result of increased patrolling by navies from the US, Europe and Asia as well as the employment of armed guards onboard ships, organisers of Seatrade Middle East Work Boats and Offshore Marine 2013 said.

Seatrade is the region's leading event for workboat operators, builders and the offshore marine market.

"According to Thomas Kelly, the US State Department official in charge of counter-piracy policy, four out of five container ships and tankers now deploy armed guards. Once pirates realise this, they will look for a softer target," Seatrade Chairman, Chris Hayman, said.

In the Gulf of Aden and Somalia, eight piracy incidents, including two hijackings, were recorded by the International Marine Bureau's (IMB) global piracy report in the first half of 2013.

In 2012, 49 attacks were recorded including seven hijackings during the whole year and in 2011, the corresponding numbers were even higher, 75 incidents including 14 hijackings.

It is estimated that the annual cost to the shipping industry is between USD 6.6 and USD 6.9 billion, according to Oceans Beyond Trade.

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