The multinational anti-piracy force operating off the coast of Somalia warned on Monday of an increase in attacks when the monsoon season ends in the next few weeks.
”The Combined Maritime Forces are warning mariners of an anticipated increase in piracy incidents when the southwest monsoon ends in the coming weeks, and are reiterating that merchant mariners must continue to take proactive action to help prevent piracy attacks,” said the United States Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain.
The world’s naval powers have deployed dozens of warships to the lawless waters off Somalia over the past year to curb attacks by pirates threatening one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Somali hijackers attacked more than 130 merchant ships off Somalia last year, a rise of more than 200% on 2007, according to the Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre.
The Combined Maritime Forces said that high seas in the Somali basin over the past few weeks had resulted in fewer attacks on vessels travelling through the area but said seamen must continue to remain vigilant.
”The prior preparation and vigilance of merchant mariners at all times of day and night is more important now than ever,” said task force commander Rear Admiral Caner Bener of Turkey.
”While our ability to deter and disrupt attacks has improved over time, we are constantly adapting the way we do our business as the pirates adapt and modify their tactics,” he said in a statement.
More than 30 ships and aircraft from 16 nations including members of Nato and the European Union are patrolling the waters off the Somali coast to try to ensure safe passage of sea traffic through the region. — Sapa-AFP