Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Piracy Drops Worldwide

The Chinese Navy frigate Huangshan leaves Valletta's Grand Harbour March 30, 2013, after concluding an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, providing security escort to civilian and commercial vessels.

Piracy Drops Worldwide, Especially In Somalia -- Voice of America

The number of pirate attacks is down worldwide, especially off Somalia, where pirates once hijacked dozens of ships each year, according to a new report.

The International Maritime Bureau says there were 66 reported pirate incidents in the first quarter of 2013; that's a drop of 55 percent compared to a year earlier.

According to the report, Somali pirates carried out only five reported attacks during the quarter and just one hijacking. In that case, naval forces freed the ship's crew before the vessel reached Somalia.

Read more ....

Update #1: World sea piracy falls 35 percent in first quarter 2013; spotlight on Gulf of Guinea -- FOX News/AP
Update #2: Sea piracy attacks decline in first quarter -- New Europe
Update #3: Report shifts piracy concerns to west African coast -- UPI

My Comment: The ICIS press release is here.

1 comment:

Orion said...

That's a sharp looking frigate.

Anyone else notice that the Chinese Navy (or PLAN if you prefer) vessels all look sharp, fresh paint, no rust streaks and lately, every pic of USN vessels I've seen they're dirty, streaked with rust, and in need of a coat of paint?

Dunno if that's just me, or if it's indicative of the state of maintenance (and age) of our ships...

Orion