The Indian Ocean pirates rampant
Kenya "Commercial Daily" on September 9 quoted a report by the British global political and economic facts consulting firm (Geopolicity) which stated that by 2010, the economic loss in the waters near the Indian Ocean, primarily due to Somali pirates, amounted to approximately $7 billion to $12 billion as a result of pirate activities. If such activities are not curbed, this figure could potentially reach $15 billion by 2015.
Reports say that the economic loss is mainly due to ransom payments, additional insurance expenses, relevant naval patrols at sea, diversion of shipping routes, and increased transportation costs vital for the pirates.
The report pointed out that in recent years, the range of pirate activities in the waters around the Indian Ocean has significantly widened, covering about 250 million square miles along the coast of Somalia, expanding by 100 million square miles compared to two years ago. Meanwhile, within the area of pirate activity, the number continues to grow, with estimates suggesting there are at least 1,500 pirates.
Statistics show that pirate attacks have risen from 276 in 2005 to 445 in 2010. Considering that the most recent International Maritime Bureau report points out, there were 142 pirate attacks on ships globally in just the first quarter of this year. According to international maritime bureau statistics, 97 of these occurred in the coastal waters of Somalia.
Since 1991, due to continuous warfare in the coastal areas of Somalia, piracy has been rampant. According to statistics from the International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates hijacked 49 ships in 2010, accounting for 92% of the global total of 53 hijacked ships.