OBP; SOMALI PIRACY IN THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN: 2015

Western Indian Ocean Region: Despite reduced spending, international efforts in the Indian Ocean continued to suppress major attacks. However, several recent hijackings of regional vessels could signal an increased threat.

• The presence of coalition and independent deployers engaged in counter-piracy activities decreased by 15% in 2015.

• The number of seafarers held hostage by pirates increased in 2015, with 108 seafarers held by pirates at some point over the course of the year.

• Vessels near Somalia continue to report suspicious activity related to piracy. While many of these reports may be regional maritime commerce, OBP identified 9 incidents in 2015 which appear to present credible evidence of pirate activity.

• Numerous reports from Somali sources emphasize the risk of piracy resurging in some form if the naval presence dissipates.

Read the full report here Oceans Beyond Piracy WIOR

Image: All piracy attacks in 2015 - grey dots represent regional vessels

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