Aris 13 Hijackers, Somali Forces Clash in Puntland

Somalia’s maritime forces have exchanged gunfire with the pirates, who hijackedthe Comoros-flagged bunkering tanker Aris 13, in the country’s Puntland area, John Steed of Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) informed via social media.

Pirates Hijack Merchant Vessel off Cotonou?

merchant vessel is believed to have been hijacked by pirates some 72 nautical miles off the coast of Cotonou, Benin, according to data provided by Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG).

Maersk Cotonou Attacked off Nigerian Coast

The 4,496 TEU containership Maersk Cotonou was attacked by supposed criminals attempting to board the vessel off the Nigerian coast on November 19, Danish shipping giant Maersk Line confirmed to World Maritime News.

Pirates Kidnap Six Crew Members off Philippines

Six crew members were kidnapped from a general cargo ship which was attacked by pirates some 10 nautical miles off the Basilan Island, the Philippines, according to data provided by International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

VDR: Risk of Pirate Attacks Remains High

The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) has once again warned that the threat to shipping posed by pirates has not yet been eliminated as the risk of attacks remains high around the Horn of Africa.

IHS Markit: Pirates Shift from Hijacking to Kidnapping

Global piracy has shifted away from hijacking and towards kidnapping as the number of kidnappings now stands at 44 for the period from January to 30 September 2016, according to IHS Markit.