Pirate attacks almost double

Most attacks happen on cargo ships in dock

A new report on pirate attacks shows they rose by some 40% worldwide in the first six months of this year.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) says there were more than 160 incidents compared with 115 in the same period last year.

The bureau singled out Indonesian waters and the seas off Bangladesh as areas where attacks are on the increase.

Most of the pirate raids reported to the bureau were on large cargo carriers and tankers at anchor or berthed in harbour.

However one out of every five attacks was carried out while ships were at sea.

Indonesia

The peace of Sumatra's beaches belies the danger in the shipping lanes

The most dangerous place for pirate attacks was Indonesia where 25% of all reported incidents took place.

This confirms Indonesia's reputation as a piracy hotspot and the IMB warned all ships calling at the ports of Belawan, Jakarta, Merak, Samarinda and Tanjong to be on pirate alert.

Another danger spot was the Malacca Strait which divides the Indonesian island of Sumatra from Malaysia.

"Ships should take precautions and maintain anti-piracy watches" the IMB said.

Somalia

About a fifth of attacks take place at sea

Another dangerous stretch of water is along the Somali coastline and through the Gulf of Aden.

"Ships transiting via Gulf of Aden/Somali coast are strongly advised to be extra cautious and vigilant," the bureau warned.

"Armed speedboats and gunboats open fire on ships and yachts and rob or hijack them.

"No boat should pass within 50 miles of the Somali coast."

But it is not all bad news. While attacks on ships are up, violence against their crews is down.

There were 77 assaults on crew in the first half of this year compared with 375 at the same time last year.

No crew member has yet been listed killed this year, although five are still classed as missing at sea.

They were unable to board life rafts after a launch packed with explosives rammed their cargo ship 50 miles off eastern Sri Lanka.

The ship sank, leaving 22 crew afloat on life rafts.