“Pirate” Attacks on the Increase

February 5, 2001

According to the International Maritime Bureau modern day piracy is on the increase with a record 469 attacks on shipping reported last year, resulting in 72 deaths, 99 persons injured, and 26 missing in addition to significant cargo losses.

Modern day pirates attack ships in port as well as on the high seas, and seem to be taking advantage of troubled political and economic situations. The highest number of incidents, 119, occurred in Indonesian waters and ports. There were also 75 reported attacks in the Straits of Malacca between Indonesia and Malaysia, one of the world’s busiest waterways through which an average 600 ships transit every day.

According to IMB records other danger areas were Bangladesh, 55 attacks, India, 35 and Ecuador, 14.

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