MV Moscow University – Why Anti-Piracy Efforts off Somalia Are Doomed to Fail

Two news stories, days apart demonstrate, at least to me, why the current efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia are doomed to fail.  We posted previously how the tanker MV Moscow University was recaptured from pirates by … Continue reading

NATO Destroyer Sinks Pirate Mother Ship off Somalia but Lets Pirates Go

In the ongoing somewhat surreal operation against piracy off Somalia,  the HDMS Absalon, a Danish destroyer, sank a pirate “mother ship” but allowed the pirates to return to shore.   The official goal appears to be to “disrupt” rather than stop pirate activities. … Continue reading

UK Government says “Don’t Pay Ransom and Don’t Arm your Ships”

Last week we posted about the International Chamber of Shipping’s concern that governments are not doing enough to combat piracy. Now the British government, after long opposing the payment of ransoms to free hijacked ships is also trying to discourage the … Continue reading