Somali pirates release vessel after 10 months in captivity August 30, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates
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A Greece based shipping company has spoken of its distress during a piracy experience following the release of its hijacked tanker after 10 months in captivity.While Paradise Navigation, operators and managers of the 72,825 dwt product tanker MV Polar said it was “delighted” with the freeing, they were frustrated that owners and operators have been unaided against piracy.
While faced with many decisions on how to deal with piracy, ultimately shipping companies need to remain proactive in protecting their interests. The community can’t afford to wait for intervention by international governments. The message is loud and clear, this is an industry problem and needs to be dealt with by the industry.
Somali gets life in prison for hijacking U.S. yacht that left four Americans dead! August 22, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: gulf of aden, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates, Somalia
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NORFOLK, Va. – A Somali man was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for his role in the hijacking of yacht off the coast of Africa that left all four Americans on board dead, telling a federal judge that he never meant for anyone to get hurt.
“I’d like to express my regret and sorrow to the victims’ families,” Ali Abdi Mohamed said through an interpreter.
Mohamed is the first of 11 men who have pleaded guilty to piracy in the case to be sentenced. Each of the men face mandatory life sentences, although that could eventually be reduced as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors. A second Somali was expected to be sentenced later in the day.
The pirates said they intended to bring the Americans back to Somalia so that they could be ransomed, but that plan fell apart when four U.S. Navy warships began shadowing them. The Navy offered to let the pirates take the yacht in exchange for the hostages, but the pirates said they wouldn’t get the kind of money they wanted for it. Hostages are typically ransomed for millions of dollars.
Mohamed told prosecutors he was ordered to fire a rocket propelled grenade at the American warships to keep them away from the Quest. Court documents say that in doing so, he inadvertently killed one of the pirates who was standing too close behind him. Shortly after the RPG was fired, gun fire erupted aboard the yacht.
“Swarming Attacks” suggest new pirate tactics August 19, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates, Somalia
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On August 7th, 2011 IMB reported an attack on a ship in the Red Sea in which it appeared that pirates were banding together and ‘swarming’ to attack vessels. This wolfpack type attack was brushed off by some in the security industry. On August 18th, 2011 the IMB live reporting system reported another such attack. In this attempted hijacking 7 high speed boats filled with 3-5 men, each armed with automatic swarmed a ship in an attempt to hijack the vessel. As this attack was only 27km from the previous attack the implication is that pirate groups may be operating in distinct areas.
On a more fundamental level this new type should not come as a surprise. Security and risk theory holds that as long as the the perceived payoff exceeds the perceived risk, criminals will continue to attempt to circumvent controls. As controls change, criminal tactics will change in response. Given that the average ransom paid exceeded $3 million in 2010 it is not expected that pirates will give up their attempts at hijackings for farming any time soon. Shipping companies would be well advised to consider that pirate attacks will continue to increase in violence and tactics will continue to evolve in response to security controls being employed.
Were 17 Algerian sailors abducted by Somali pirates killed? August 10, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, Chris Mark, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, somali pirates, Somalia
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The MV Blida, an Algerian-flagged bulk carrier with a crew of 27, including 17 from Algeria, was captured in January 2011 by Somali pirates around 150 miles southeast of Salalah in southern Oman.
Recent reports indicate that the seventeen seafarers have been killed by Somali pirates, however Algeria denied on Sunday reports over the death of its seventeen sailors abducted in Somalia, saying the 17 Algerian sailors were safe and sound.
Algerian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Amar Belani, was quoted by the Algerian official news agency (APS) as saying that they have made the required contacts, and it appeared that all their compatriots abducted by Somali pirates are safe and sound.
Belani rubbished the reports about the sailor’s death saying that there are hopeful that all the sailors would be able to confirm sooner to their relatives that they’re alive, emphasizing that authorities will keep working to free them as soon as possible.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry had promised family members of the abducted sailors to free them in July, noting that the government stood firmly against paying any ransom to the pirates.
Islamist militants withdraw from famine struck Somali capital! August 6, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, Chris Mark, gulf of aden, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, somali pirates, Somalia
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MOGADISHU, Somalia – Islamist fighters withdrew overnight from almost all their bases in the famine-struck Somali capital, the most significant gain for the embattled U.N.-backed government in four years. Commanders toured newly abandoned positions Saturday, including a former sports stadium where the militia’s tire marks were fresh in the grass.
The militants have denied many aid agencies access to their territory and their presence in the capital has complicated famine relief efforts. The government said humanitarian agencies now were welcome to come and distribute aid, but many still insist on serving only precooked rations at guarded kitchens.
“It is of major significance, but the war is not over yet,” said Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Esse as he stood amid the rubble and graffitied walls of the stadium.
Tanks belonging to the African Union peacekeeping force surrounded the former militia base as gunfire crackled outside. Government soldiers draped in bandoliers of bullets lounged on smashed concrete pillars, staring as Somali and AU officials embraced.
Somalia has been a failed state for more than 20 years. Its lawless wastes are a haven for pirates and international terrorists and the conflict has caused two major famines. Hundreds of thousands starved to deaths in 1992 and the current emergency is believed to have cost tens of thousands of lives already. It is set to worsen, partly because the Islamists, who call themselves Al-Shabab, have banned many aid workers.
There have been two deadly shoot-outs in the past week after aid agencies tried to hand out sacks of food. Both incidents involved government forces, some of whom are poorly trained and disciplined.
It’s still unclear why the militia retreated or what its next move will be. There are several possible reasons: the drought and the movement of population away from areas it controls; the diversion of foreign fighters and funding to the Arab Spring; or infighting among its top leadership. It could simply be a change of tactics by a heavily outgunned force to a guerilla-style campaign of suicide bombings and hit and run attacks.
Al-Shabab spokesman Ali Mohamed Rage told a local radio station that the forces had made a tactical withdrawal and would soon launch a counter attack.
“We shall fight the enemy wherever they are,” he said.
In recent years, the Somali government has made little effort to provide services to its citizens despite receiving tens of millions of dollars in cash from foreign donors. Ali said he would declare such donations in the future, making it easier to see how the government was spending the money.
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