Where is maritime piracy most common and what vessels are targeted?
Piracy is a problem off the coast of East Africa, with Somali pirates dominating the area, and in the oceans around Indonesia and Malaysia and in the South China Sea. Pirates seize a variety of vessels, including private yachts, oil supertankers and, most commonly, cargo ships. Q: Who are these pirates and what are their objectives? A: For Somali pirates, the ultimate goal is money. They’ve been fairly successful; some estimates say more than 120 ships were seized last year, with total ransoms paid in the $100 million range. Pirates off Somalia today are holding 12 to 16 ships hostage. The pirates usually come from the clans that dominate Somali political life. They use the money to support their clans and buy weapons and supplies. Pirates in Asia tend to shoot first and talk later. They are not out for ransom but to seize and sell the cargo. Q: When it comes to combating piracy, how is international law limited? A: International law is very clear in prohibiting piracy, but the problem
