Global piracy is on the rise and attackers are more likely to use firearms when they try to take over ships, according to a report today by a maritime watchdog. But the International Maritime Bureau told Radio Netherlands there has been a drop in the number of successful hijacks, thanks to the coordinated efforts of EU forces.

Listen to an interview with Captain Pottengal Mukundan of the International Maritime Bureau
 

Head of the IMB, Captain Pottengal Mukundan, said the biggest problem area is off the Somali coast, where 32 vessels have been hijacked since the beginning of the year. There were also 100 attacks in the lawless Gulf of Aden - more than touble the number in 2008. But the IMB's report also indicates the pirates may be fighting a losing battle, said Captain Mukundan:

“What is very important is that the number of successful hijackings has reduced dramatically. What this means is that the pirates are continuing to operate but are not succeeding in hijacking the vessels, so that is a very positive sign.”

EU patrols
Captain Mukundan said EU forces patrolling the area have had a big impact on the ability of pirates to achieve their goals. The Navfor operation was launched in December last year and brings together naval forces from a number of different countries.

Extra training has also been given to ships’ captains sailing in the sea around Somalia, and since the beginning of the year they've been taught how to prevent pirates from actually getting aboard and taking crew members hostage.

More effort needed
But the IMB says more effort is needed to stamp out the problem completely – particularly as many attacks take place far from the coast.

“What is required is of course even more naval assets particularly in the Somali basin which is off the east coast of Somalia which is a vast area of water and its very difficult to monitor the activities of the pirates there… ships are being seized many hundreds of miles off the coast and coordinated from mother ships.”

Nigeria
Other countries singled out in the report include Bangladesh and Nigeria, which Captain Mukundan described as an “area of high concern”. There have been 20 recorded piracy attacks this year, but he said the actual figure is likely to be twice as high. A ceasefire from rebels protesting against the oil industry’s activities in the Niger Delta ended last week, which he said may lead to further increases in attacks.

“We’re waiting to see whether they resume their piratical activities or whether they’ll look for a political solution with the Nigerian government. We hope it is the latter.”