Security analysts say that pirates have raked-in an estimated US$150 million in ransoms, in what has become a highly organised, international criminal enterprise.
Despite successful efforts to quell attacks in the Gulf of Aden, DefenceWeb says, international navies have struggled to contain piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea owing to the vast distances involved. According to the International Maritime Bureau, there have been 145 pirate attacks around the world this year, resulting in 17 hijackings. Somali pirates have been responsible for 59 incidents and 12 hijackings, capturing 188 hostages this year. Somali pirates currently hold 13 vessels and 200 hostages.
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