Malta and Maritime Piracy, what are some of the connections?
Hi Candie, Some background perspective: Piracy off the Somali coast has been a threat to international shipping since the beginning of the Somali civil war a few years ago. Since 2005, many international organisations, including the International Maritime Organisation and the WFP, have expressed concern over the rise in acts of piracy, which has also contributed to an increase in shipping costs and impeded the delivery of food aid shipments. Tens of ships, including Maltese registered vessels, have been hijacked by Somali pirates who then negotiate their release for a massive ransom. Now, Malta interest lies in the fact that it has one of the largest shipping registers in the EU. So, it’s in the Malta’s direct interest to protect Malta-registered ships, which are having enormous difficulties navigating close to Somali waters. So, a platoon of Maltese soldiers will soon be dispatched to Somalia to take part in an EU mission against sea piracy dubbed Operation Atalanta. They will be enga
