Pirate Attack Thwarted After Gun Battle August 16, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Chris Mark, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates, Somalia
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Somali pirates attempted to board a ship in the Indian Ocean on Monday night and were stopped after a short gun battle by the security forces on board. The pirates in two speedboats fled after the short exchange of gunfire. The important point to be taken from this example is that armed security is effective and does not need to be lethal. Pirates are rational actors and as such, they are not going to engage in a lengthy gun battle and risk loss of life to board a ship with professionally trained security when there are thousands of unarmed vessels in the region. In this example, gunfire was exchanged and nobody was hit, wounded, or killed. The exchange alone was enough to deter the would be hijackers.
Somali Pirates release Maltese Bulk Carrier August 15, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates, Somalia
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So
mali pirates released 52,466-tonne vessel MV Sinin along with its crew of 22 — 12 Iranians and 10 Indians after ransom was paid for the ship. The ship had been hijacked in February, 2011. According to U.S. think-tank One Earth Foundation, the average ransom per ship in 2005 was $150,000. By 2010, it had jumped to an average of $5.4 million per ship, with large cargo vessels and oil tankers a popular targets.
Piracy Costs World Economy $12 Billion US August 12, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates, Somalia
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It is no secret that maritime piracy is a growing problem. Pirate attacks are increasing in violence and frequency and it is taking an economic toll. In 2009 an estimated $177 million was paid in ransom to pirates and in 2010 the estimate is that ransoms had grown to $240 million. According to the IMO there were 489 reports of attacks, armed robberies and attempted attacks in 2010. This represented a 20% increase over 2009. The increasing costs of insurance premiums, anti-piracy security and other aspects are estimated to have an overall impact to the world economy of between $7 and $12 billion US. Adding to the challenges is the increasingly frequent attacks on the West Coast of Africa. According to the IMO there were 18 reported attacks off the coast of Nigeria in the first half of 2011. While the numbers don’t rival those of Somalia, it is suspected that many attacks go unreported as a larger percentage of ships are carrying illegal oil and other cargo. London-based Lloyd’s Market Association, an umbrella group of insurers, earlier this month listed Nigeria, neighbouring Benin and nearby waters in the same risk category as Somalia.
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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