In the year 2011 piracy is omnipresent in the Somali Basin and it has begun to spread all over the Indian Ocean. According to figures from 21 October 2011 provided by the International Maritime Bureau´s Piracy Reporting Center, 13 vessels and 249 hostages are currently held by Somali pirates. A total of 208 incidents were reported, 24 of which were hijackings .
In fact, Somali piracy is nothing new. It only appears to be new because Somalia´s geostrategic position happens to be along one of the major Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC). Had that not been the case and had western shipping not been affected, the world had taken little notice of the problem.
Until 2008 the pirates almost refrained from killing hostages and were exclusively after ransom. Younger incidents, starting with the Le Penant in 2008 show a change in attitude. Pirates have become more brutal, starting to torture and kill, and there have been demands to release fellow pirates from prisons rather than to deliver ransom, such as 2010 in the Asphalt Venture case. Although such can still be considered piracy, this element brings back memories of hijackings by extremist groups such as the 1977 Landshut case or the 1985 Achille Lauro incident.
The essay explains the general Somali piracy problem and why it is so contrary. Piracy is always a regional phenomenon and never a global threat, which goes back to the condition that it is – and has to be – always linked to the political situation on land. That said, selective investments as suggested by some cannot work in the Somali environment as a solution because the understanding of business in this part of the world differs from ours.
Others say that the only viable way is to treat all entities in Somalia equally. The current essay supports his view, although that seems the more difficult way. Much if not all depends on the overall stability of Somalia but the maritime threats should be addressed more effectively today, which is why the essay also discusses possible naval approaches. May it be capacity building on land or fighting pirates at sea – if the coalition does not act quickly, the initiative will most certainly be taken over by private security companies, which is partly already the case today.
In any way, with the right methods and means in place it should be able to eradicate Somali piracy. But it will take time, which most of the affected individuals do not have.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Somalia Today
- II. Pirate Modus Operandi
- Target Selection
- Attack and hijacking
- Negotiations
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the complex issue of Somali piracy and explore potential solutions for its eradication. The main objectives include:- Understanding the context and causes of Somali piracy
- Examining the modus operandi employed by Somali pirates
- Evaluating the effectiveness of current counter-piracy strategies
- Exploring potential solutions for eradicating Somali piracy
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Somalia Today
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation in Somalia, emphasizing its status as a “Failed State.” It describes the country’s political and economic instability, highlighting the lack of effective government and the prevalence of a strong informal economy. The chapter also discusses the impact of poverty, resource depletion, and the breakdown of law and order on the rise of Somali piracy.II. Pirate Modus Operandi
This chapter delves into the operational methods employed by Somali pirates. It details their target selection process, focusing on vulnerable cargo vessels and the use of “motherships” for logistical support. The chapter further explains their attack and hijacking tactics, including the “wolf pack” strategy, and concludes with an examination of the negotiation process, which typically involves substantial ransom demands.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores the complex problem of Somali piracy, focusing on key themes such as the breakdown of law and order in Somalia, the impact of poverty and resource depletion, the evolution of pirate tactics, and the effectiveness of counter-piracy measures. The essay also delves into the informal economy in Somalia, particularly the role of Hawala, and the crucial importance of political stability in combating piracy.- Citar trabajo
- Frederic Ischebeck-Baum (Autor), 2010, Is it ever possible to eradicate Piracy?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/180675
