pirates News

Somali Pirates’ Return Adds to Crisis for Global Shipping Companies

As a speed boat carrying more than a dozen Somali pirates bore down on their position in the western Indian Ocean, the crew of a Bangladeshi-owned bulk carrier sent out a distress signal and called an emergency hotline. No one …

India’s Navy Takes Control of Bulk Carrier Hijacked by Somali Pirates, Evacuating Crew

The Indian navy said late Saturday that it had taken control of a bulk carrier hijacked by Somali pirates and evacuated the 17 crew members on the vessel. In a statement on X, the navy said all 35 pirates on …

Hijacked Orkim Harmony Oil Tanker Released by Pirates Who Escape

The hijacked oil tanker Orkim Harmony has been released by pirates, who fled in the ship’s rescue boat, Malaysian navy and maritime officials said on Friday. The Orkim Harmony, hijacked on June 11 off the Malaysian coast by pirates reportedly …

Update: Malaysian Navy Makes Contact With Pirates on Hijacked Oil Tanker

A Malaysian naval vessel has made contact with the pirates onboard hijacked tanker Orkim Harmony and is trying to persuade them to surrender, a maritime official said on Thursday. The tanker as of noon (0400 GMT) was in Vietnamese waters …

Pirate Attacks on Small Oil Tankers Rising in Southeast Asia Waters

Hijackings of small oil tankers by armed gangs are increasing in Southeast Asia, home to the shortest sea-trade route between the Middle East and China, even as pirate attacks globally fell for a third year. Five of the six vessels …

GAC Maritime Security to Provide PirateFence™ Vessel Protection

GAC Maritime Security announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Mobile Defense Systems LLC “to provide PirateFence™ anti-grapple razor wire to protect vessels from attacks by sea criminals. This marks the latest addition to GAC Maritime Security’s …

Pirates Shoot Grenades, Guns at Gas Tanker off Oman

Pirates fired guns and rocket-propelled grenades at a liquefied natural gas tanker off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, and three shots hit the vessel, the International Maritime Bureau’s anti-crime arm said. “Pirates in a dhow armed with guns and …

UK Security Firms Take up Arms against Pirates

Security firms led by G4S are providing armed guards to ships sailing pirate-infested Somali waters, with one start-up kitting out a gunboat to lead World War II style convoys, as ship owners step up their response to constant attacks. G4S, …

North P&I Club, GRAY PAGE to Vet ‘Armed Maritime Security Providers’

The North P&I club announced that it has joined forces with specialist maritime intelligence, investigation and crisis management company GRAY PAGE to vet armed maritime security providers (AMSPs) on behalf of the club’s members. North P&I said its goal is …

Marine Insurers Backing Armed Guards as Piracy Threat Grows

More ship insurers are backing the use of private armed guards on merchant vessels at sea to combat Somali piracy as attacks and the resulting costs are set to rise in coming weeks, industry officials said on Tuesday. Pirate attacks …