The Indian Ocean pirates rampant
Kenya "commercial every day 9 quoted British global political and economic information consulting provider (Geopolicity) survey reported that by 2010, near the Indian Ocean waters primarily due to Somali pirates' activities resulted in an economic loss of approximately $7 billion to $12 billion. If the pirates' activities are not curbed, this number could reach as high as $15 billion by 2015.
Reports say that the economic losses mainly include paying ransoms, additional insurance costs, relevant naval patrol expenses at sea, shipping diversions, and the transportation and trial costs required after pirate attacks.
The report pointed out that in recent years, the range of pirate activities around the Indian Ocean waters has significantly widened, covering about 250 million square miles along the coast of Somalia, which is far more than the 100 million square miles expansion seen two years ago. Meanwhile, pirate activity in the region continues to grow, with estimates suggesting there are at least 1,500 pirates.
Statistics show that pirate attacks increased from 276 in 2005 to 445 in 2010. Furthermore, according to the latest international maritime bureau report, there were already 142 pirate attacks on ships globally in the first quarter of this year. According to international maritime bureau statistics, 97 of these occurred in Somali coastal waters.
Since 1991, continuous warfare in Somalia's coastal areas has led to rampant piracy. According to international maritime bureau statistics, Somali pirates hijacked 49 ships in 2010, accounting for 92% of the global total of 53 hijacked ships.