France 24: Fears that pirates are returning to seas off Somalia

An image of an Iranian fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia was freed by the Indian Navy from pirates on Monday, 29 January 2024. Image credit: Indian Navy / AFP

In a recent interview with France 24, Hans Tino Hansen, CEO of Risk Intelligence, addresses the growing concerns surrounding a potential resurgence of piracy along the Somali coast.

14 February 2024

The original release date of the article was on 14 February 2024, as published by France 24.

The article discusses a recent increase in pirate activity off the coast of Somalia. The successful hijacking of a cargo vessel in December 2023 marked the first such incident by Somali pirates since 2017. The spike in attacks, though not reaching the levels seen in 2011, has raised concerns about marine security and shipping, particularly in crucial trade corridors near Yemen. The UK Marine Trade Operations recorded six incidents off Somalia's coast since mid-December, including hijackings and approaches by armed crews. The increase in pirate activity is attributed to factors such as Houthi rebel attacks on boats and conditions in Somalia allowing pirates to regroup.

Additionally, fishing disputes and anger over illegal fishing by trawlers from Southeast Asia, Iran, and Europe are mentioned as contributing factors. The article emphasises that while the threat is not as severe as in 2011, foreign navies' presence has deterred some criminal activities at sea. The CEO of Risk Intelligence, Hans Tino Hansen, notes that the further away from Somalia, the less likely there is a connection to a fishing scenario. The increase in piracy is seen as a potential flare-up rather than a full-fledged resurgence, but concerns persist about the security of maritime activities in the region.

Read France 24’s article in full here.

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