Pirate hijackings show decline in 2011

Pirate attacks that end in successful hijacking off Somalia have declined in the first nine months of the year to 24 vessels from 35 in the same period in 2010 because of naval patrols and counter measures taken by more experienced ship managers and crews. Attacks in Asian waters, including the Indian subcontinent, also continued to see reductions to 87 in the first nine months of the year compared to 106 in 2010.

"Navies deserve to be complimented on their excellent work: they are a vital force in deterring and disrupting pirate activity," said International Maritime Bureau (IMB) director Pottengal Mukundan. Despite the fall in East African ship seizures, which accounted for more than half of the 352 attacks, worldwide rates of pirate attacks and armed robbery were higher than any other year with 625 seafarers taken hostage, eight killed and 41 injured, he said.

Since the monsoon season, Somali pirates have widened their range of attack as far as an Omani port where they attacked a chemical tanker at anchor and under protection by coast security.