Greek authorities are monitoring the incident. As those countries are sovereign states, their own authorities must work together to find a solution.

Toxic waste was subsequently dumped in its waters, crippling the local fishing industry. In 2012, for example, 10 Somalis were sentenced to jail by a Hamburg court for attacking a German-flagged ship. The combination of factors caused some Somalis to resort to piracy, while others later determined it was a good way to make money. Too early to blame Wakashio crew, ITF state, Tanker collision in East China leaves eight dead, six missing, There has been a notable increase in the use of weapons during piracy attacks, according to the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Q2 results, increasing the threat that crews face. At the height of their power in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks off the coast of Somalia, the International Maritime Bureau says, and held hundreds of hostages.

Legal notice | These include posting look-outs, sailing further away from Somalia and hiring private security. The number of attacks on the Horn of Africa has been falling steadily. International warships operating as part of a coalition also helped to drive down the number of attacks.

The International Maritime Bureau in London, which monitors pirate activities, has reported at least 10 incidents in the Gulf of Aden and at least 28 in the Gulf of Guinea in 2013. Since then, there has been a steady drop in the number of incidents. The pirates said they had captured the vessel to protest illegal fishing. The ship was traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Mogadishu port when it appeared to develop mechanical problems, said Musse Salah, the governor of the Gardafu region in the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland. Pirates boarded the Greek oil tanker Elka Aristotle early on Monday morning and seized four hostages. (File photo: AP), Last Update: Thursday, 20 August 2020 KSA 18:32 - GMT 15:32, Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports steady increase of 481 new COVID-19 cases, Coronavirus: Lebanon to lockdown more than 100 districts amid COVID-19 outbreak, Tributes pour in as spiritual leader of Iraq’s Yazidi minority dies at 87, US President Trump could temporarily hand over power to VP Pence amid COVID-19, UAE, Bahrain deals with Israel give Palestinians opportunity to engage: UK Minister, Azerbaijan does not need mercenaries in conflict with Armenia: Presidential aide, Explainer: Why the US Supreme Court is relevant to Arabs and the Middle East, Oil slides, gold climbs after US President Trump announces COVID-19 infection, Saudi Arabia introduces 5 pct ‘Real Estate Transaction Tax’, Turkey's Halkbank must face US indictment over Iran sanctions violations, judge rules, Lebanon will benefit from fixing its maritime border with Israel, Venture capital survived coronavirus – it may yet save the world, Pompeo’s threat to close embassy, withdraw troops would push Iraq toward Iran, The Iran deal is dead: After US sanctions snapback, other members won't admit it, Invest $500 bln a year to protect nature, says David Attenborough at wildlife summit, Pioneering artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim to represent UAE at Venice Biennale 2022, Most executives seek work-life balance after experiencing coronavirus pandemic blues, Subway bread isn’t bread due to sugar levels, says Ireland’s Supreme Court, Biden uses Arabic phrase ‘inshallah’ in debate with Trump, causing social media storm, Lebanese man says he’s harvested the Middle East’s biggest pumpkin at 341 kg, Is it a bird? The number of attacks involving guns […], Four persons armed with automatic weapons in a speed boat were seen approaching a San Pedro Pio product tanker, anchored at Bonny River’s inner anchorage in Nigeria. Coronavirus: Egypt to soon allow worshipers at Friday prayers, Coronavirus: India study suggests millions may have COVID-19 without symptoms, Brother of Manchester suicide bomber sentenced for role in 2017 concert attack, A masked Somali pirate Abdi Ali stands near a Taiwanese fishing vessel. After a period of relative calm, threat has spread and evolved Their hijacking methods are similar - approaching large vessels out at sea in small craft. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. Pirate attacks along the Horn of Africa have decreased since the international naval presence there was bolstered. The 330-meter (1080 foot) vessel was carrying crude oil valued at US$100 million. Somali Pirates Release Last Three Hostages as Armed Men Attack Panama-Flagged Ship By Reuters , Wire Service Content Aug. 20, 2020 By Reuters , Wire Service Content Aug. 20, 2020, at 9:52 a.m. In former piracy hotspots, locals are more concerned about fishing than capturing cargo ships.

Somali pirates hijack Maersk Alabama ship. But now the problem is on the rise in the Gulf of Guinea. Political instability and social conflict have left room for pirate gangs to consolidate in the Gulf of Guinea. It was the first successful pirate seizure of a ship … Privacy Policy | Coronavirus: Dubai orders bars, restaurants to stop services, entertainment at 1 a.m. Armenia declares martial law and mobilization amid Azerbaijan clashes, Dubai-based Burj Khalifa builder Arabtec to close down, file for liquidation: Sources, Lebanon awaits the US presidential elections, but will collapse faster while it waits, Coronavirus test caused brain fluid leak in US patient: Study, Coronavirus: Massive COVID-19 study in India finds children are superspreaders. While a heavy international military presence was effective in reducing piracy near Somalia, the same solution cannot easily be applied to the Gulf of Guinea.

The Maersk Alabama hijacking led to a series of maritime events that began on 8 April 2009, when four pirates in the Indian Ocean seized the cargo ship Maersk Alabama at a distance of 240 nautical miles (440 km; 280 mi) southeast of Eyl, Somalia.The siege ended after a rescue effort by the United States Navy on 12 April.. On 20 August, risk analysis agency Dryad Global reported a possible hijacking in the same area. No, it’s a flying paramedic over England’s Lake District, Oldest evidence of human traces found in Saudi Arabia, Diplomatic Avenue: James Cleverly, UK Minister for MENA affairs, Macron accuses Lebanon leaders of 'betrayal' over government failure, Diplomatic Avenue: Stephanie Williams, UN acting Libya Envoy, Lebanon PM designate recuses himself from forming new cabinet, US VP Pence, wife test negative for COVID-19 after Trump tested positive: Spokesman, Coronavirus: UAE surge continues with record high 1,181 new cases, 3 new deaths, Coronavirus: US President Donald Trump tests positive for COVID-19, Israel sending weapons to Azerbaijan as fight with Armenia rages on: Sources, Coronavirus: US President Trump enters quarantine after aide tests positive for COVID, Head of Israel’s Mossad visits Bahrain, meets intelligence and security officials, Armenia says it recalls ambassador from Israel over arms sales to Azerbaijan, UAE set to amend law granting citizenship to expats with certain criteria: Report, Major blast heard in Paris after fighter jet breaks sound barrier. The UN and EU are backing efforts to improve the judicial systems closer to where pirates operate. Somali pirates have hijacked a Panama-flagged ship, a regional official told Reuters on Thursday, the first successful hijack since 2017.

At the height of their power in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks off the coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

The number and nationality of the crew was unclear but discussions were under way to free them, he said. West African pirates' methods can be more violent than those off the Horn of Africa. By 2012, international naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden were making it difficult for Somali pirates to launch attacks. © 2020 Deutsche Welle | Operation Umeed-e-Nuh On August 2, 2010, the MV Suez, a merchant vessel was attacked and hijacked by small arms fire from Somali pirates. said Musse Salah, the governor of Gardafu region in the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland.

International warships operating as part of a coalition also helped to drive down the number of attacks. At the time this was the farthest Somali pirates have travelled to hijack a ship, and took place far south of the "Maritime Security Patrol Area" patrolled by international warships in the Gulf of Aden. Similar to most merchant ships transiting in the area, Aegean II had its own security team and its weapons “led to a dispute” with the local police when they came aboard, reported Dryad Global. In the meantime, the port authority in nearby Bosaso Puntland, Somalia, confirmed to the EU NAVFOR commander, rear admiral Ignacio Villanueva, that Aegean II had not been hijacked and that police from nearby Guardafui, Somalia, had been sent on board to inspect the vessel as it was drifting off Bereeda, Somalia, waiting for technical assistance. The ship was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to Mogadishu port when it was attacked.

A chemical tanker is under way again after a stop for repairs and a police boarding was mistakenly reported as the first Somali piracy attack in more than three years. The challenges are vast - from improving judicial systems to creating a sustainable economy to effectively managing the consequences of natural disasters - like here in a Somali food aid facility where families received rations during a severe drought in 2012.

Aegean II was en route to Mogadishu, Somalia, when an unexpected change in the vessel’s course alerted the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta. | Mobile version, hijacking attempt by pirates in the region since 2017.

Those captured and accused of piracy can face trial far from their home countries. We use cookies to improve our service for you. Pirate attacks along the Horn of Africa have decreased since the international naval presence there was bolstered. In November 2017, there were no major vessels or hostages remaining in pirate captivity. But, at least 40 vessels and more than 400 hostages are still being held in or just off Somalia, according to the Ecoterra International group which monitors piracy in the region. Just days after capturing an oil tanker near Somalia, a group of Somali pirates handed over the ship and the hostages without receiving a ransom. Piracy surged in Somali waters in the late 2000s. Is it a plane?