More vessels were hijacked by Somali pirates in March than in any other month since late 2010.
While there was an overall decline in worldwide pirate activity, figures gathered by risk mitigation company AKE show a notable rise in incidents off the Horn of Africa.
Eight vessels including two large merchant ships were hijacked, the highest number in a single month since December 2010.
According to AKE piracy analyst Rory Lamrock activity is also likely to
remain high in April.
More vessels were hijacked by Somali pirates in March than in any other month since late 2010.
While there was an overall decline in worldwide pirate activity, figures gathered by risk mitigation company AKE show a notable rise in incidents off the Horn of Africa.
Eight vessels including two large merchant ships were hijacked, the highest number in a single month since December 2010.
According to AKE piracy analyst Rory Lamrock activity is also likely to
remain high in April.
"Pirate syndicates will be emboldened by the latest hijackings, spurring
them on to conduct more attacks over the coming weeks. Weather conditions
are also forecast to be relatively calm in April, which will make it easier
for pirates launch skiffs and gain access to the deck of a targeted
vessel."
Four of the vessels taken in March are now being used as 'motherships'.
These are not immediately released for a ransom, but instead are deployed to help pirates capture larger vessels. Captive crew members are often forced to work on motherships against their will.
"The fact that the pirates have seized so many new motherships suggests they may be preparing for a new wave of hijackings directed at larger commercial vessels. The shipping industry should exercise particular caution in places such as the Gulf of Aden and wider Arabian Sea for the time being."
The current average settlement for a captured commercial vessel is around US$4.8 million.
Ships face an average detention period of around 180 days although this can range to well over 300 days for some of the less fortunate seamen who are held on board. At least 300 crew members are currently being held.
Elsewhere in the world, attacks dropped off West Africa, but a serious attempt launched from a mothership around 100 nautical miles from the coast
highlighted the expanding offshore threat posed by maritime crime in the
Gulf of Guinea region.
AKE expects attacks to increase in frequency off the coasts of Nigeria and
Benin over the coming months. Incidents could take place at distances
greater than 120 nautical miles from the shore.
Fewer attacks were recorded in Asian waters in March, although the drop is
likely to be caused by under reporting, rather than an actual reduction in
pirate activity.
One attack was officially recorded in Latin America.
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