In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the threat posed by maritime piracy. Often the news channels bring us another story about pirates attacking crews, robbing them of their belongings, taking over ships, and even hurting them when the authorities refuse to pay their ransom.

The situation has escalated with the recent incident of MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi vessel with 23 crew members, which was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on March 12 by around 50 Somali pirates.

Detailed below are the top ten piracy-prone areas where the terror and threat of sea pirates have reached looming proportions:

1. Sulu Sea, Southeast Asia: Positioned between the Philippines and Malaysia, the Sulu Sea ranks among the most perilous waters for maritime traffic, plagued by piracy syndicates preying on cargo vessels and fishing boats alike.

2. Strait of Malacca: As one of the busiest shipping lanes globally, the Strait of Malacca represents a prime target for pirate activity due to its narrow passage and abundant maritime traffic. Vessels navigating these waters face the constant threat of piracy.

3. Somali Coast, East Africa: The waters off the Somali coast have long been synonymous with modern-day piracy, where armed gangs seize commercial vessels for ransom and plunder. The main reason for marine piracy occurring at huge proportions in Somalia is because of extreme poverty in the region caused due to civil war and government ineffectuality.

4. Gulf of Guinea: Stretching along the West African coast, the Gulf of Guinea emerges as a piracy epicenter, with criminal syndicates targeting vessels for cargo theft and crew kidnapping. Despite regional efforts to enhance maritime security, including joint patrols and capacity building initiatives, piracy in the area remains a persistent threat.

5. Gulf of Aden: Serving as a critical maritime thoroughfare between Yemen and Somalia, the Gulf of Aden remains a piracy hotspot, with armed assailants targeting ships for hijacking and crew abduction. Although multinational naval task forces keep patrolling the area, piracy incidents in this area continue to disrupt maritime activities.

6. South China Sea: Amidst territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions, the South China Sea also grapples with sporadic incidents of piracy, posing risks to vessels navigating these contested waters. The South China Sea piracy generally occurs in the Malaysian water area, leading to a cause of concern for authorities in the country.

7. Niger Delta, Nigeria: In the oil-rich waters of the Niger Delta, piracy takes on a distinct form, with criminal networks orchestrating attacks on oil tankers and offshore installations to siphon off valuable resources.

8. Red Sea: Serving as a vital maritime artery connecting the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea witnesses occasional piracy incidents, particularly near the Bab el Mandeb strait.

9.  Indian Ocean: The waters of the Indian Ocean are also falling prey to the acts of sea pirates. These pirates hail from the ravaged nation of Somalia and have been causing problems to Bangladeshis and Indians as well as ships hailing from other countries.

10. Caribbean Sea: Despite its romanticized past, the Caribbean Sea still grapples with sporadic incidents of piracy, although modern piracy in the region is less prevalent compared to its Golden Age counterpart.

As maritime piracy continues to threaten global maritime security and commerce, concerted efforts are essential to mitigate risks and safeguard vital sea lanes. Through enhanced cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building initiatives, the international community can address the root causes of piracy and uphold the principles of freedom of navigation in the world's oceans. Especially, these ten piracy-prone areas demand heightened vigilance and coordinated efforts to combat illicit maritime activities.

Source: Agencies