World maritime bureau sees decline in pirate attacks

Pirate attacks worldwide have seen a decline during the first two quarters of 2010, a report published by the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) on Tuesday said.

IMB’s 24-hour Piracy Reporting Centre recorded 196 attacks around the world as compared to 240 incidents over the same period in 2009. While one crew member was killed, 597 were taken hostage and 16 were injured during this period. The use of firearms, including rocket-propelled grenades, was particularly marked in the waters off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. Attacks in this region and in the Red Sea represent more than half of the incidents reported over the past six months.

According to IMB, the Somalia coast remains particularly vulnerable with 100 pirate attacks in 2010, including 27 hijackings. The attacks have decreased, as compared to 2009, in the most dangerous maritime area of the world.

Somali waters continue to pose the greatest threat to vessels. In 2009, pirate activity in the region accounted for more than half of all criminal activities reported during the year. While the attacks off the Somali coast are considerable, they have moved from the Gulf of Aden towards the east coast. A rising number of high sea incidents have also been reported in the Indian Ocean.

“The actions of the navies in the Gulf of Aden have been instrumental in decreasing the number of attacks there,” IMB director Captain Pottengal Mukundan said.