Since the last piracy update on December 21, 2011. Nato reports there have been at least five pirate attacks, and at least six other incidents of apparent pirate activity. The Italian flag tanker MT Enrico Levoli was seized and is currently being held by pirates. Another vessel was seized but quickly released without ransom, when the pirates realized they had no way to deal with the 3,620 head of livestock on board.

The number of successful pirate attacks dropped to 24 last year, from 45 in 2010.

There have apparently been some efforts to suppress piracy on land, by what passes for government agencies. Puntland claims operations against pirates, including the arrest of 43 here, up to 150 here, and the arrest of investors here. Piracy is bad for business, but apparently piracy continues even in these regions.

Meanwhile the European Union is considering relaxing their rules of engagement to allow destruction of pirate assets on land. They are not contemplating putting troops ashore, but could use aircraft or naval guns.

Naval force seem to be increasingly effective, although there is still a problem of what to do with captured pirates.

On December 19 USS Pinckney “disrupted” a pirate operation. Inconvenienced might be a better description–pirates dumped their weapons and some paraphernalia, the boarding party dumped an outboard and left them with minimal fuel, but allowed the pirates to return to base.

On 7 January 2012, the Danish warship HDMS Absalon (L-16) intercepted and boarded a Somali pirate mother-ship at Indian ocean. The boarding crew liberated 14 Iranian and Pakistani fishermen who had been held as hostages for over two months. here and here. (Absalon is an interesting hybrid class of warship. Looks like a frigate, built to merchant standards, with a very flexible ro-ro load space. Apparently very cheap. Danes call it a support ship.)

As noted previously, naval auxiliaries are playing an active part in counter piracy operations. About 9 January there was a report that the tanker MV Liquid Velvet, which had been hijacked on October 31, had sortied, apparently to be used as a pirate mother-ship. About 12 January the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort Victoria (A387) disrupted its operation by intercepting and circling the ship. Apparently this induced the pirates to return to port.

“As my mama always told me, Stupid is as stupid does.” Jan. 12, Pirates attack the Spanish Flagship of the EU task force, ESPS PATINO (an underway replenishment ship). There was an exchange of gunfire. Pirates tried to escape, but surrendered to the ship’s helicopter. Six pirates captured, five of those wounded. Reports of a seventh pirate lost overboard after being killed in the firefight.

The pirates seem to be hurrying to liquidate some of their assets. The chemical tanker MT FAIRCHEM BOGEY has been released by Somali pirates just five months after it was hijacked. Somali pirates also reportedly released the Maltese-flagged tanker M/V OLIB G and her crew of 18.

Gulf of Guinea (West Africa):

A short video here discussing the growing problem in this region and the attendant violence.

South East Asia:

A tug and barge with a crew of nine was hijacked in the Straits of Singapore, but subsequently rescued by Indonesian authorities. “… the Straits of Singapore, which saw 11 attacks last year, up from three in 2010.”

Armed Security Teams:

The Brits have reservations and are still concerned about clarifying the rules under which armed security teams can use deadly force.

The Dutch are deploying teams of Marines to provide protection, including World Food Program ships transporting food to Somalia.