CNN: Piracy going down in Indonesia, Singapore ... Going up in Somalia

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Nigeria ranks second in world piracy with 40 reported incidents last year, including five hijackings and 39 crew members kidnapped.

 

While 2008 appeared to be a bad year for piracy, the report noted declines in other areas of the world, especially in Indonesia.

 

Mukundan said sustained anti-piracy efforts by Indonesian authorities have resulted in declines every year. More than 121 attacks were reported there in 2003 but only 28 were reported last year, most of which were opportunistic, low-level attacks, Mukundan said.

 

Only two attacks happened last year in the Malacca Straits, which lie between Indonesia and Malaysia, compared to seven the year before, the report said.

 

Farther south, the Singapore Straits saw a slight rise in incidents, going from three to six, the report said.

 

"This welcome reduction has been the cumulative result of increased vigilance and patrolling by the littoral states and the continued precautionary measures on board ships," the report said.

 

"With the world economy in its present uncertain condition, there is a possibility of piracy increasing. Navies and coast guards must continue therefore to maintain their efforts against pirates."

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/16/pir ates.year/