Somali pirates are undeterred as European Union naval forces prepare to launch an operation aimed at curbing relentless piracy attacks that have rattled world maritime trade. (AFP Graphic)From The International Herald Tribune:
HONG KONG: The Somali pirates in control of the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star become frustrated in negotiations over their ransom demands. They pump 50,000 gallons of crude oil into the water - a tiny fraction of the tanker's load - and they threaten to leave the pumps running until their demands for $15 million are met. To reinforce their message, they toss a crew member over the side, and he drowns in the oily muck.
This kind of nightmare scenario - horrifying but plausible - has shipowners, insurers, seafarers and naval officers in something of a panic, given a sharp increase in ever-more brazen pirate attacks.
In the Gulf of Aden alone, the huge expanse of water between Kenya and Somalia, 14 ships are currently being held for ransom, including the Sirius Star and a Ukrainian ship, the Faina, with 32 battle tanks aboard. Rumors are swirling in the region that both ships could soon be released.
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More News On Somalia Piracy
EU to launch anti-piracy mission off Somalia coast -- Yahoo News/AP
Defiant Somali pirates await EU navy force -- AFP
Gulf of Aden hot spot for piracy -- Dayton Daily News
Somalia's piracy problem is everyone's problem -- Christian Science Monitor
Somalia: Pirate Outlaws, Outlaw State -- Human Events
A look at how Somali pirates operate -- AP
Sharks in the water -- Newsweek