When we think of pirates, it is usually in the context of films and cartoon videos – captains with hooks for hands and mysterious eye patches. In other words we think of piracy on the high seas as a concept from the past. However, piracy on the high seas is alive and well even today. The recent pirate attack on an Indian ship brings the issue of pirates back into focus.
An Indian cargo ship, described by officials as a dhow; with an 11 member crew was hijacked off the coast of Somalia. The ship was traveling from Dubai to Bosasso, in Puntland, According to last reports, the ship was seen sailing towards the coast of Somalia.
Pirates sometimes hijack a ship with a view to extracting a ransom for the release of the crew and cargo or to seize the cargo itself. In this instance, it appears that the pirates – the 5 gunmen who boarded and others on shore – were interested in the cargo itself. It seems likely that the ship and the crew will be released once the cargo (wheat and sugar according to the owner of the vessel) is appropriated by the hijackers.
Piracy off the coast of Somalia was seen to start sometime in 2005 around the time the Somali Civil War entered its second phase, in the early 2000s. Piracy not only impeded delivery, it increased costs and insurance premiums for shipping companies. The piracy reached its zenith around 2011, but, then declined when a multinational task force was set up to fight piracy. However the recent most instance demonstrates that pirates do still operate in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding areas; that the widespread poverty, famine in Somalia and the resentment against fishing trawlers in the area are factors that contribute.
Many modern pirates use fairly sophisticated weaponry, such as, rocket propelled grenades, automatic weapons and mortars. Satellite phones, modern gadgetry, GPS systems are part of pirates’ arsenal. Piracy on the high seas is more structured than ever before and is known to have links with organised crime and even some governments.
In 2012, a 29 member Taiwanese fishing vessel was hijacked and the hostages were held captive for close to 5 years. They had to eat anything, including rats and birds and wildcats to survive. Three died in captivity and 26 were finally seen to head home after four and a half years in captivity.
Better on shore and offshore security, armed security on board ships and naval presence has seen a welcome decline in piracy in recent times. However, it is still a big problem. For instance, oil ship piracy has escalated and is seen to occur more than before in areas such as the coast off Brazil. Pirates demand cash or valuable goods in return for releasing crew and goods.
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