After 12 months of fighting piracy, data released by the International Maritime Organization shows that some progress is being made.
The number of vessels captured by Somali pirate gangs dropped from 33 ships in February to 13 at the beginning of December, according to the statistics. Additionally, the number of seamen held hostage dropped from 733 to 265 in the same time period.
Reported attacks also declined from 45 a month in January 2011 to 14 a month in November, and the proportion of successful pirate attacks declined from 20 percent to 7 percent in that time period.
Throughout 2011, the IMO engaged at the political level through the United Nations Security Council to end the piracy epidemic. The group concentrated on increasing access to its guidelines and best management practices to ensure that members knew how to access naval protection and avoid piracy incidents. The IMO also address a sometimes contentious issue — using armed security guards aboard vessels.
Despite the advancements in the fight against pirates, it is evident to maritime piracy attorneys the end of pirate attacks isn’t even close. Attacks may have declined, but evidence also shows that Somali pirate gangs are starting to attack in groups to take ships faster.
