Pirate attacks wane near Malacca Straits

Pirate attacks wane near Malacca Straits Piracy attacks fell worldwide for a third year in a row in 2006, said the International Marine Bureau's International Piracy Reporting Center (PRC) in Kuala Lumpur, but there are troubling increases in some areas.
   The center recorded 239 attacks on ships last year, compared to 276 in 2005 and 329 in 2004.
   It attributed the drop to more reporting and greater awareness leading to increased government reaction, and said it was the first systematic decline since the center began analyzing pirate attacks in 1991.
   The decline should be seen as 'a cautious sign for optimism,' the PRC said.
   Before the piracy center was formed 'most governments did not appreciate the nature nor magnitude of the problem. Now they do, many countries realize it is something they cannot ignore. As a result they have become more willing to take action and this is really starting to pay dividends,' said IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. 'We have to keep up the pressure by encouraging more ships to report attacks, getting ever more accurate figures, and increasing awareness.'
   Mukundan urged continued action that could preserve the improved piracy situation in the Malacca Straits, and he highlighted those areas of the world where a similar approach was needed:
   * In Indonesia, still the world's leading piracy hotspot, the IMB said attacks fell from 79 in 2005 to 50 in 2006.
   * In Nigeria, Mukundan said a growing spate of attacks and kidnapping of foreign oil workers in Nigeria was something that must be tackled. A more vigorous response to the attacks on oil vessels from the Navy, a greater willingness of local police to arrest gangs known to be perpetrating these crimes, and more support from national government was needed.
   * Somalia's recent removal of the Islamic militia that had been taking a hard stance on piracy is of concern, he said. Within days of their influence being removed there had been an attempted attack on an American bulk carrier in Somali waters, the first for a number of months. Now that a recognized central government has been re-established in the country, it must start to exert control over the militias, he said.
* In Bangladesh, he said attacks have more than doubled to 47.
   Although it is currently the second-leading world piracy hotspot for attacks, the attacks are occurring in a much smaller geographical area than Indonesia. More has to be done to stop piracy against ships at anchor at the mouth of the river off Chittagong, Mukundan said. The coastal region in this area is very poor and anchored ships make for a very tempting target, he added.
   * Santos, Brazil, is experiencing a wave of attacks against container ships at anchor. The pirates board, break open containers and steal their contents, but the local police apparently do very little to tackle them on their return to shore.