More Than Just Ships And Men Hijacked By High-seas Pirates

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec 03, 2008 -
The more fearsome trip around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, is becoming a safer alternative for many companies shipping between the European and Asian markets. Unfortunately this will increase the freight rates by 25-30%, as well as added12 extra days to the sea journey. Combined with the increase in insurance costs to shipping companies, this will hijack a wide range of consumer goods to higher prices.

$100million worth of crude oil was hijacked in the largest piracy act in the history of the seas, off the coast of Kenya, when Sirius star was taken on November18th. The hijackers have issued a warning against anyone trying to hand over false money as a ransom payment. There has been no confirmation that the pirates have demanded $25 million ransom for the 318,000 tonne crude Saudi oil tanker, Sirius Star, one of the largest oil tankers in the word. The incident took place in spite of the presence of several international warships in the area at the time.

“With 30 Somali pirates on board, the tanker is anchored about 10miles east of the port of Haradheere,” said Ahmed, one of the pirates’ associates. Now word on the state of the crew has been reported. There have been reports that three more ships have been pirated since the Sirius Star was boarded.

There were 31 hijackings in 2006 and an increase to 60 in 2007. Already there have been over 199 attacks in 2008. Over 20 crew members have been killed and around 150 injured. The high-seas pirates have earned millions of dollars in ransoms. There at least 12 ships from the 2008 hijackings still under the control of the pirates, with around 200 hostages. The China South Sea and the Malacca Strait were the known dangerous waters, but the Gulf of Adien waters off Somalia, have quickly eclipsed the other danger spots.

There were 31 hijackings in 2006 and an increase to 60 in 2007. Already there have 63 attacks in 2008. Over 20 crew members have been killed and around 150 injured. The high-seas pirates have earned millions of dollars in ransoms. There at least 12 ships’ from the 2008 hijackings still under the control the pirates, with around 200 hostages. The China South Sea and the Malacca Strait were the known dangerous waters, but the Gulf of Adien waters off Somalia, have quickly eclipsed the other danger spots.

The tiny bands of 350 terrorists with their 100 small boats continue to terrorize the ocean along the Kenyan coast.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10150293/1