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Piracy's rising tide - Somali piracy develops and diversifies
By Bruno Schiemsky
20 January 2009
The alleged payment of a USD3 million ransom and the subsequent release of the Saudi-owned MV Sirius Star on 9 January is the latest indication of the rising number of successful piracy attacks around Somali waters. The tanker had been seized by pirates in November 2008 and was carrying two million barrels of oil. Given Somalia's inability to police its waters and the potentially high revenues available, the number of successful pirate attacks is encouraging further groups to become involved in these operations in the hope of gaining similar funding.
Image: The French Navy holds suspected pirates off the Somali coast on 4 January 2009. However, individual successes by various international forces have done little to slow the growth of piracy in the region, and have even inspired local groups to arm themselves more heavily against the authorities. (PA Photos)