Successful pirate attacks reduced in Indian Ocean

April 22, 2012

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There were fewer successful pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean in the first quarter of 2012 than during the same period last year, according to the latest report by the European Union Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR).

The report counted 27 pirate attacks between January and April, compared with 91 last year. The success rate of pirates dropped to 14% in the first quarter last year, compared with 27% in the same period in 2010 and 28% in 2009.

The decrease in pirate activity is due to increased armed security on merchant vessels, the presence of foreign navies along the sea route and shipping companies' improved attention to management best practices, according to EU NAVFOR press officer Timo M. Lange.

To deter piracy and armed robbery, EU NAVFOR has provided escorts for 150 World Food Programme ships and 126 AMISOM ships. Still, pirates hold in their possession nine ships and 242 hostages.

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