Most Dangerous Waters

Source: International Maritime Bureau

SOMALI PIRATES operating in the Gulf of Aden or the Indian Ocean accounted for nearly 60 percent of worldwide piracy in the first quarter of 2009, outdistancing by far pirates in Asia, South America and West Africa, according to the IMB Piracy Reporting Center. There were 61 attacks off the Somali Coast from Jan. 1 through March 31, including 41 attacks in the Gulf of Aden. Nine of those ships were hijacked, according to IMB.

Nigeria and Peru were the location of the next highest number of attacks: seven each.

Prime Targets

Source: International Maritime Bureau

TWICE AS MANY bulk cargo ships were attacked as container-carrying vessels in the first quarter, but container ships were the second largest target group. Generally, Somali pirates prefer slower, lower vessels that are easier to board, but with better equipment — vessels and firearms — they are expanding their range of targets.

Guns were used in 59 attacks in the first quarter of 2009, compared with 13 in 2008 and 10 in 2007. IMB data shows Somali pirates are much more likely to possess guns, and use them, than pirates in other parts of the world.

Worldwide Piracy: 2008

Source: International Maritime Bureau

EFFORTS TO SUPPRESS piracy have led to dramatic decreases in attacks in most parts of the world except Africa, where Somali pirates accounted for the lion's share of attacks in 2008 — 111 out of the 189 pirate attacks reported for Africa.

Somali Pirate Attacks

Source: International Maritime Bureau

PIRACY IN THE GULF of Aden and Indian Ocean off the Somali Coast reached unprecedented levels in 2008, with the number of attacks increasing 152 percent from 2007. Guns were used in 102 of the 111 attacks in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Somali pirates hijacked 42 vessels last year, taking 815 hostages, according to IMB figures.  Somali pirates killed four crew members in 2008, injuring two others, IMB said in its annual report.

The number of attacks in the first quarter of 2009 alone, 61, already was higher than the annual total for any year from 2003 through 2007.

* Special Piracy Report Home Page
* Lesson No. 1: Be Prepared
* Paying for Piracy
* 10 Steps to Respond to Piracy
* Washington Responds to Piracy
* Q&A: Liability of Carrier for Piracy
* Online Counter-Piracy Resources
* Interview with Avalon Security (Advertorial)