All About Somalia Pirates

Somalia pirates often get in the news. Piracy is a very nasty business and far from the glamorous movie images that are often portrayed by Hollywood. Piracy Today is also a lot more sinister than the often bland media reports that fail to understand the desperate and dangerous situation facing seafarers. Many sailors and seafarers get killed and injured and suffer badly while in extended captivity and it is a very big money ransom game off Somalia. Last year the last of hostages held by Somalian pirates was released. In the 5 years up to that these pirates held a staggering 3,639 hostages. A lot of money changed hands and it has been a very lucrative business model.

All About Somalia Pirates

While press reports frequently mention piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia, the true extent of the problem is quite understated in the media. Actually the worst place for yachts is around Venezuela but there its very much an attack and assault form of piracy.

There was a lull in piracy during the Covid pandemic, but it is still happening. Also there has been an upswing in attacks in West Africa as well. Meanwhile the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) has listed many piracy acts or attacks on shipping to be addressed that include cyber security attacks. Also of course piracy and armed robbery against ships. The issue of stowaways, drug smuggling and other various  illicit maritime activities. Piracy remains a key threat in the Western Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Guinea, the later having 28 recorded piracy incidents and armed robberies in the first 9 months of 2021. 

About Somalia Pirates

The IMB issued the latest report on piracy and they had recorded 97 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2021. This is the lowest level of incidents reported since 1994. They reported 85 vessels were boarded, with 9 attempted attacks. Two vessels were fired on and one was hijacked. Violence still continues against seafarers with 51 crew members kidnapped, eight were taken hostage, five threatened, three injured two assaulted and one was killed. No attacks were reported off Somalia in 2019 and up to June 2020. In 2018 three vessels were reported being fired upon in the region. 

All About Somalia Pirates

There is much to know about Somalia pirates and that starts with Modern Day Pirates and the whole Somalia Pirates problem of Maritime Piracy and of course the Latest Piracy News with news of captures, attacks and those ships released after payment of ransom to Somalia pirates. Also includes anti-piracy naval news and what is new the fight with Somalia Pirates. All about modern maritime piracy previous incidents of Piracy in Africa and Gulf of Aden Piracy.

Also read these latest Piracy Articles and read my latest with New Bestseller Pirate Book – Piracy Today for what the global piracy scene is all about, it’s an eye opener! 

The Latest Piracy Statistics

If you want keep up to date with piracy incidents reported to the International Maritime Bureau where they run a live piracy report. The IMB issued the latest report on piracy and they had recorded 97 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2021. This is the lowest level of incidents reported since 1994. They reported 85 vessels were boarded, with 9 attempted attacks. Two vessels were fired on and one was hijacked. Violence still continues against seafarers with 51 crew members kidnapped, eight were taken hostage, five threatened, three injured two assaulted and one was killed. No attacks were reported off Somalia in 2019 and up to June 2020. In 2018 three vessels were reported being fired upon in the region. 

All About Asian Pirates

The Singapore Straits reported 20 incidents of armed robbery, which was the highest number recorded since 1991. The IMB reports that incidents in the Singapore Straits were up from 15 in 2020 and just one incident in 2019. They say that these attacks are low-level and but warn that these perpetrators still pose a direct threat to seafarers and vessels underway.  Indonesia also still experience a number of attacks.

About South American Pirates

Down in South America the Callao Anchorage in Peru has experienced an increase in piracy activity with 15 reported incidents in 2021 which is the highest number since 1991. Incidents are primarily low-level thefts with knives in 60% of the incidents.

Stay up to date and all about piracy and fishing and boats.