Piracy attacks worldwide at lowest since 2009, report says
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Kuala Lumpur - Pirate attacks worldwide dropped to the lowest level since 2009 amid intensified policing and interventions by international navies, a monitoring organisation said Monday.
The Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau said attacks slid to 233 incidents in the first nine months of the year, the lowest third quarter total since 2009.
"We welcome the successful robust targeting of Pirate Action Groups by international navies in the high-risk waters off Somalia, ensuring these criminals are removed before they can threaten ships,"bureau director Captain Pottengal Mukundan said.
The agency said 70 incidents were reported off the Somalian coast during January-September, down from 199 for the same period in 2011.
It said just one ship reported an attempted attack by Somali pirates from July to September, compared with 36 incidents in thesame three months last year.//DPA
