Thursday, July 19, 2012

Global piracy declines 54 percent in first half of 2012

According to the International Maritime Bureau, piracy worldwide plunged 54 percent in the first six months of 2012, thanks in large part to the vigilance of international navies patrolling the waters off of Somalia.

In addition to naval diligence, the IMB attributed the drop to an increase of private security on board.

177 attacks were counted globally from January to June, down from 266 in the same period last year, the IMB announced. Reportedly, 20 vessels were hijacked in 2012, 334 crew were taken hostage and at least four crewmembers were killed. As of late June 11 vessels and 218 crewmembers remain in pirate hands, said IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan to the Huffington Post.

Attacks off the coast of Somalia dropped to 69 from January to June of 2012, from 163 a year earlier, the IMB said.

Another report by the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea warned that pirate bands are adjusting to the new obstacles by engaging in new criminal acts, such as ransom kidnappings on land of aid workers, journalists and tourists.

For more of the Huffington Post story: huffingtonpost.com

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