Global piracy attacks hit lowest levels during December 2011

10 January 2012 13:14  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--Global pirate activity in December was at its lowest level recorded throughout 2011, as attacks continued to decline, a report said on Tuesday.

The report, from Dubai-based logistics firm GAC Protective Solutions and UK-headquartered risk mitigation firm AKE Group said that a total of 17 attacks were reported throughout December, a fall of 5 from the previous month.

The decline in attacks was attributed to continued poor weather and low success rates around East Africa and in the Indian Ocean, leading to a significant reduction in activity, the report said.

Despite recent muted activity within the region, both the GAC and AKE expect the risk of piracy to remain high in the near term.

“There have been several sightings of pirate vessels transiting the area … these will be sure to attack once weather conditions improve further out to sea,” said Rory Lamrock, intelligence analyst for AKE.

News of the hijacking of merchant vessel Enrico Ievoli off the coast of Oman, the first successful hijacking in the region in over eight weeks, may also encourage pirates, he added.

“Shipowners must ensure they have adequate security precautions on board well in advance of approaching the area,” Lamrock said.

By: Neha Popat
+44 208 652 3214

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