One civilian was killed in an exchange of fire between Somali pirates arguing over their shares of a large ransom paid last week.

A Greek-flagged oil tanker seized by Somali pirates last month could create an ”environmental catastrophe”, the UN’s shipping agency said on Thursday.

The Seychelles is engaged in an unprecedented military drive in a bid to keep marauding Somali pirates at bay.

The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to extend for another 12 months a mandate to conduct anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

Somali pirates said on Wednesday they had hijacked a fishing vessel and another ship in the Indian Ocean believed to be carrying oil.

Somali pirates said on Tuesday they had seized a yacht with a British couple aboard and were taking the vessel to the Horn of Africa nation.

China has not ruled out military action to rescue the crew of a coal ship hijacked by Somali pirates, although it is also pursuing negotiations.

Somali pirates on Thursday seized a Singapore-flagged container ship in the Indian Ocean near the Seychelles, according to maritime sources.

Pirates operating off Somalia are being controlled by crime syndicates, Interpol and other officials said on Wednesday.

Attempted nighttime hijackings by Somali pirates of two ships have been foiled in the Gulf of Aden, a maritime official said on Tuesday.

Forces patrolling the waters off Somalia are prepared to deal with an expected surge of piracy in the wake of the end of the monsoon season.

An informal band of nations and organisations fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia have agreed to set up two new international funds.

A deal to swap three hostages held by pirates with 23 prisoners accused of piracy was halted by Saudi authorities, officials said on Monday.

Nato on Monday launched operation Ocean Shield to help fight rampant piracy off the Horn of Africa.

Somali pirates on Monday released a Malaysian-owned tugboat that had been held for more than seven months after a ransom was paid, an official said.

The multinational anti-piracy force operating off the coast of Somalia warned on Monday of an increase in attacks when the monsoon season ends.

Pirate attacks worldwide more than doubled in the first half of 2009, amid a surge of raids in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.

Somali pirates seized a Turkish ship with 23 crew on Wednesday, a shipping official and Nato spokesperson said.