KUALA LUMPUR // Pirates have seized yet another vessel, a German cargo ship this time, off the coast of Somalia in some of the world's most dangerous waters, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said today. This brought the number of ship hijackings in the vital sea lane linking Asia and Europe to a record of four in 48 hours, sparking fears piracy there could worsen. "There is no deterrent, so obviously for pirates, criminals and warlords, it's an easy way to make money," said Noel Choong, head of IMB's piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur. "Nobody is going to catch you, no police ... you make so much money."
Only the United Nations could "help stop the menace" because Somalia has no central government, Mr Choong added. Last night pirates seized a German cargo ship with nine crew on board Mr Choong said. Just hours earlier, Somali pirates hijacked an Iranian bulk carrier and a Japanese-operated tanker. A day before, they seized a Malasian palm oil tanker. The four ships had a total of 96 crew on board. Piracy is rife off Somalia, which has been mired in anarchy since warlords overthrew a dictator in 1991. Maritime officials say at least 30 ships have been hijacked off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation so far this year. Most of them brought ransoms of at least $10,000 (about Dh36,730), and in some cases much more. A lot of that money is now in the hands of pirates in the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland.
Wealthy pirates have attained near-celebrity status in the area, buying expensive homes and cars and taking additional wives following this year's sharp increase in attacks at sea.
Last week, Somali pirates hijacked two other ships, a Thai cargo ship and a Nigerian tug boat. Local gunmen are also holding a Japanese-managed bulk carrier, that was hijacked on July 20. A multi-national naval coalition had sent a warship to track the hijackers. Naval forces from the United States, France, Germany, Pakistan, Britain and Canada are operating in the Gulf region. * Reuters
