Piracy Incidents up in Asia

There was an increase in the number of pirate attacks in Asian waters in January with 11 incidents reported. Anti-piracy centre ReCAAP said there were 11 incidents of piracy and armed robbery reported in January this year compared with just two last year. Of the incidents in January 2010 eight were actual attacks while three were failed attempts.

The pirate hub of Bandar Aceh was devastated by the Tsunami. As the area develops and re-establishes itself we may see a steady rise in piracy in Malacca and Indonesian waters.

North Korean Cargo Ship Hijacked in Gulf of Aden

A North Korean cargo ship was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden just south of the Yemeni coast on 3 Feb 10.

There are no reports on the nationalities of those onboard the vessel, which has now altered its course and is heading toward the Somali basin.

The vessel, the RIM, is a general cargo ship of 4,800 tons and is North Korean flagged and owned by the White Sea Shipping of Libya. Coalition forces are monitoring its position.