Waters Around Somalia
Most Dangerous - IMB
The East African
(Nairobi)
February 16, 2000
By Paul Redfern
Nairobi - places for piracy in the world, according to
the International Maritime Bureau. In its latest statistics for 1999, Somalia is ranked
the sixth most dangerous place for shipping worldwide, along with Nigeria but the IMB
reports that the situation is worsening.
It says that there have been frequent hijack attempts (for ransom) and some ships were
fired upon up to 60km offshore.
"With weapons and ammunition openly flowing into the country despite a UN arms
embargo, the ongoing fighting between feuding militia groups increases political
instability," the IMB states.
"It is extremely difficult to protect the interests of ships in a country where
the real authority lies in the hands of local militia leaders and there are no national
law enforcement mechanisms."
Somalia is now rated alongside Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, considered the most
dangerous spots for piracy worldwide. There were 11 recorded pirate attacks or attempted
attacks last year but some believe the actual figure is higher.
Indonesia, with 113 reported incidents last year, remains the most dangerous place for
shipping worldwide, however, with nearly five times the number of piracy incidents of the
country with the second worst record, Bangladesh, on 23.
The total number of recorded piracy incidents rose to 285 last year, an increase of 83
compared with the previous year.
However, the good news is that the number of fatalities fell to three incidents last
year, down from the 78 recorded in 1998.
"This seems largely attributable to the action of the Chinese, Indonesian and
Indian authorities in arresting, and in some cases jailing, known pirates and
hijackers," Lloyd's List reports. "(However), during 1999, the number of
incidents where pirates boarded vessels with guns was up, while incidents involving knives
doubled."
A UK firm has responded to the growing incidence of piracy by offering the services of
a private force of ex-British army Gurkhas to protect ships in the world's most dangerous
waters.
Anglo Marine Overseas Services says that it has assigned around 300 ex-Gurkhs for the
task.
"The men will be formed into groups of four, six or eight men whose job is to
deter piracy and criminal acts at sea," according to Lloyd's List.
Gurkhas have a reputation as lethal soldiers and it is felt that the knowledge that
some ships may be employing these ex-soldiers will deter some pirates.
Lloyd's List says that that pirates currently deliberately avoid Russian- and
US-flagged ships as it is claimed many of them carry small arsenals for protection.