Despite Patrols, Somalia's Pirates Are Busier Than Ever

The Norwegian-owned MV Bow-Asir is one of two vessels that have been hijacked by Somali pirates. Fred Vloo / AFP / Getty

From Time Magazine:

Just when shipping companies thought it was safe to go back in the water — off the Horn of Africa in particular — Somali pirates last week nabbed two large chemical tankers within 24 hours, despite the presence of a bevy of Western and other navies prowling in search of the buccaneers.

The Greek-owned MV Nipayia was snagged last Wednesday, followed within a day by the capture of the Norwegian-owned MV Bow-Asir. The attacks, which occurred at 380 and 490 nautical miles offshore, showed a willingness by the pirates to operate at great distances from their lairs along the Somali coastline.

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