In the first half of this year, pirate attacks have increased significantly to ships having experienced 266 assaults compared to 196 in the first half of 2010. Over 60% of the attacks - has announced the Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) - were carried out by Somali pirates, the majority of which occurred in the Arabian Sea. At June 30 seized by Somali pirates holding 20 ships and 420 seamen.
"In the last six months - said IMB director Pottengal Mukundan - Somali pirates attacked a record number of ships and are taking more risks. For the first time in this month of June during the monsoon season in the Indian Ocean, the pirates fired on a ship in the presence of rough seas, while in the past they would have avoided such difficult conditions. "
However, despite the increase in the number of attacks carried out by Somali pirates - 163 in the first six months of 2011 compared to 100 in the first half of last year - the attackers were able to seize a smaller number of vessels: 21 compared to 27 in the first half of 2010.
In the first half of this year, Somali pirates have hijacked 361 sea and have seized 13. Worldwide seafarers were taken hostage 495; also seven seamen were killed and 39 wounded. A total of 99 ships have been addressed, while against 76 ships were fired gun shots. The foiled attacks in the IMB is aware have been 62.
Another area where there have been particularly violent assault was the west coast of Africa. In this area since March there have been 12 attacks on oil tankers off the coast of Benin, an area where last year there had been no accidents. Also seized were five ships that were looted and deprived of part of their cargo. Six other tankers have been addressed and reported a hacking attempt.
In neighboring Nigeria three boardings were recorded, the burst of shots fired at two ships and an attempted assault.However this is more dangerous than it might be inferred from the number of reported incidents: in fact, IMB is aware of at least 11 other incidents were not reported to the Piracy Reporting Centre, or by ship owners and masters of ships.
Also in the first six months of this year 50 incidents have occurred in Indonesia, Malaysia, Straits of Singapore and the South China Sea, areas in which they were seized three tugs and 41 ships have been addressed.
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In the first half of this year, pirate attacks have increased significantly to ships having experienced 266 assaults compared to 196 in the first half of 2010. Over 60% of the attacks - has announced the Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) - were carried out by Somali pirates, the majority of which occurred in the Arabian Sea. At June 30 seized by Somali pirates holding 20 ships and 420 seamen. 
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
