The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force has carried out its first air attacks against a pirate base on the Somali coast. EU NAVFOR said in a statement Tuesday that initial reports show no Somalis were injured in what was described as the “focused, precise and proportionate” attack against “known pirate supplies” on the Somali shoreline. […]
EU Naval Force Strikes Pirate Base on Somali Coast
Posted May 15th, 2012 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
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UN Urges Anti-Piracy Action in West Africa
Posted March 1st, 2012 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations Security Council is urging West African countries to hold a summit to confront the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea region. The 15-member body on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the countries and other regional organizations to develop a comprehensive anti-piracy strategy. Pirate attacks have become increasingly […]
Europe Prepares More Intense Crackdown on African Piracy
Posted February 21st, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
European powers are about to intensify their campaign against pirates active in the Gulf of Aden and other waters near Somalia. British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced London will fund the construction of a new anti-piracy center in the Seychelles and provide the center’s director. Hague said the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Coordination Center will […]
Monitor: Pirates Launch Deadly Attack Off Nigeria Coast
Posted February 13th, 2012 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
Pirates have carried out a deadly hijacking off Nigeria’s coast, prompting a maritime watchdog to warn vessels about traveling through the region. The head of the International Maritime Bureau, Noel Choong, said the latest attack took place on Monday when the attackers seized a cargo ship, killing the ship’s captain and chief engineer. Choong told […]
Report Says Somali Piracy Costs $7 Billion Per Year
Posted February 8th, 2012 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
A new report says Somali piracy cost the world economy nearly $7 billion last year, most of it spent to protect ships from hijackings. The report, from the U.S.-based One Earth Future foundation, said Somali pirates command an average ransom of $5 million per ship. But it says ransoms were only a small fraction of […]
British Lawmakers Urge Ruling on Lethal Force Against Pirates
Posted January 5th, 2012 at 12:40 am (UTC-5)
British lawmakers are urging the government to clearly define when lethal force can legally be used against pirates. The request is part of a report released Thursday by parliament’s foreign affairs committee, which welcomed the government’s decision last year to permit armed guards on British ships in dangerous waters. The committee says captains still need […]
Volvo Race Boats Shipped to Next Leg Over Piracy Concerns
Posted December 28th, 2011 at 2:55 pm (UTC-5)
Organizers of the Volvo Ocean Race are shipping five sailboats through the Indian Ocean on an armed transport vessel due to piracy concerns. The 15-ton yachts with 31-meter masts were loaded onto a ship Wednesday at an undisclosed location before leaving on a journey to Sharjah off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Organizers […]
Somali Pirates Release Hijacked Italian Ship
Posted November 26th, 2011 at 2:45 am (UTC-5)
An Italian shipping company and Italian media say Somali pirates have released an Italian merchant ship and its crew seized seven months ago. The MV Rosalia D’Amato had been sailing from Brazil to Iran with a cargo of soybeans when pirates commandeered the boat April 21 in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman. […]
Cameron Announces Major Conference on Somali Piracy
Posted November 15th, 2011 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced his country will hold a major conference next year focusing on the threats of Somali pirates and instability in the East African nation. Mr. Cameron said during a speech Monday that it is time to stand up to pirates, whom he described as violent and lawless men who […]
UN Team Reviewing Piracy Threat in the Gulf of Guinea
Posted November 11th, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
The head of the United Nations has sent a team to West Africa to assess and suggest how best to deal with piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. A spokesperson says U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon dispatched the team to Benin at the request of President Boni Yayi. The team will also visit Nigeria, Gabon […]
