Recent Posts

  • Vessel Released

    A Greek bulk carrier seized in the Gulf of Aden seven months ago was reportedly “released from pirate control” on Saturday, according to EUNAVFOR. The 72,000-tonne Eleni P, with a […]

  • New USCG Guidance

    The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a new directive for U.S. Flag vessels operating in waters where the risk of pirate attack is high. Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104-6 (Rev. 4), […]

  • More Than Force

    Thomas Ernst from EUNAVFOR believes that pirates operating off the Somali coast will not be defeated by force alone. “It is arguable how much of a deterrent effect counter-piracy forces are […]

  • NATO Shipping Center weekly assessment

    Weather conditions in the Arabian Sea and the northern Somali Basin are expected to deteriorate this upcoming week, making it unfavourable to pirate activity, particularly small boats, along the near […]

  • Dialogue Closes

    The 7th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) “Manama Dialogue” has come to a close after two and a half days of high-level interaction and with the summit providing a platform for exchanging ideas […]

  • Cautious Welcome

    A senior U.N. official has apparently cautiously welcomed news that an anti-piracy force is being created in Somalia but he and U.S. officials say they’re concerned about the degree of […]

  • Going Dutch

    Dutch prosecutors are set to launch a criminal investigation into five suspected Somali pirates for allegedly hijacking a South African yacht and plan to eventually prosecute them in the Netherlands. […]

  • Attack Report

    Pirates are believed to have captured a Bangladeshi-flagged vessel in the Arabian Sea off the coast of India after it was chased and attacked on Sunday, Bangladesh’s shipping department chief […]

  • Fighting Fund

    Reports are emerging that an “un-named Muslim country” is directly funding the creation of a 1000 strong, “well-armed and privately trained militia force” in Somalia’s north to fight piracy. The […]

  • US versus UK

    A cable on Britain’s Africa policy, sent on 6 February 2009 by the political counsellor Richard Mills at the US embassy in London, suggested  recognition of Somaliland should be considered […]