The number of pirate attacks on shipping worldwide declined by 18 percent in the first six months of 2010 despite the increased range and capabilities demonstrated by Somali pirates, according to a report issued Thursday by the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau.
A total of 196 incidents around the world were recorded by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Center, compared to 240 incidents in the first half of 2009. This includes 31 vessels hijacked, 48 vessels fired upon and 70 vessels boarded.
During this period, one crew member was killed, 597 crew members were taken hostage and 16 were injured.
The IMB said 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.
The coast of Somalia remains particularly vulnerable with 100 pirate attacks in 2010, including 27 hijackings. The number of attacks decreased compared to 2009 in the most dangerous maritime area of the world.
Actual attacks in the South China Sea more than doubled in 2010. Incidents in the waters of Malaysia and Indonesia have increased whereas only one attack was reported in the Singapore Straits and one in the Gulf of Thailand. Incidents in Nigerian waters also declined but remain stable on a six-month basis. Many attacks go unreported in this violent piracy hotspot.
The IMB report said Somali waters still pose the greatest threat to vessels: In 2009, pirate activity in the region accounted for more than half of all acts reported during the year. While attacks off the Somali coast remain considerable, these have moved progressively from the Gulf of Aden towards the east coast; a rising number of high sea incidents have also been reported in the Indian Ocean.
Attacks originating on the Somali coast are predominantly dependent on mother ships that enable small pirate boats to attack ships on the high seas, according to IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. The mother ships and skiffs have been the target of navy vessels operating in the area.