The US and Chinese navies conducted their first joint anti-piracy drill in September 2012.
The Oceans Beyond Piracy project looks to develop a multi-stakeholder response to piracy through:
- Mobilization of all affected sectors of the maritime community
- Developing public-private partnerships that promote long-term solutions at sea and ashore
- Global and sustainable deterrence based on the rule of law
The CGPCS 11th Plenary Session Ends with Valuable Discussions
During the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, the CGPCS discussed and emphasized how important the gathering of the international community is for Somalia's stabilization to eliminate piracy.
UAE to Host 2nd Counter Piracy Conference in June
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DP World will convene the second public-private international counter piracy conference in Dubai on June 27-28.
Somali Pirates Jailed for Attack on Italian Oil Tanker
Eleven Somali men who attacked an Italian oil tanker in January were each jailed for three and a half years after a Rome court convicted them of piracy and attempted kidnapping.
Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Murder Charges Against 3 Somalis Accused of Pirating Yacht, Killing 4 Americans
A US federal judge has refused to dismiss murder charges against three Somalis accused of pirating a yacht and killing four Americans on board, ruling the US can prosecute the slayings because they happened in international waters outside Somalia's control.
Tougher Prosecution of Pirates Demanded
At a UN Security Council debate on maritime piracy, the United Nations called for stronger prosecutions of pirates.
Navy Frees Four Out of Five Suspected Somali Pirates
Hundreds of suspected pirates arrested by the Royal Navy off the coast of East Africa have been immediately set free.
Finally, India Set to Get a Law to Counter Piracy
The Indian government introduced a Piracy Bill to Parliament in April 2012.
PHL Welcomes UN Support for Piracy Attacks Victims
The Philippines welcomed the United Nations assistance program offering support for victims of piracy attacks.
Puntland Forces Kill 3 Pirates in Hostage Rescue Attempt
The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) clashed with pirates near a coastal town in Puntland after attempting to rescue the hostages of the MV Iceberg I.
Pirates Off Somali and Nigerian Coasts Becoming More Violent, Says Maritime Watchdog
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said that global piracy has fallen by almost a third in the first quarter of the year, while attacks in west African waters are intensifying and Somali piracy is beoming more violent.
Pirates Treated Us Like Animals: Free Sailor
Ravinder Singh, who was held hostage by Somali pirates onboard the MV Suez, recounts living under constant threat of death, beatings, torture and starvation.
Stabilizing Somalia: a New Chapter Begins
In the wake of electing new leadership, Somalia works hard to build stability.
Somalia: UN-Organized Summit Resumes 2nd Day in Garowe
Somali leaders convened in Garowe for a UN-sponsored constitutional conference in Garowe town, the capital of Puntland.
Somalia: Challenges to the Roadmap
The roadmap to end Somalia's Transitional Federal Government in August 2012 is facing numerous challenges.
First Armed Guard ISO Vetting Scheduled for March
The International Organisation for Standards’ formal audit process for private maritime security companies will begin in early spring.
Piracy Convention Needed to Govern Lethal Force, Registry Says
According to International Registries, Inc., the company that manages the third-largest vessel registry, navies and private armed guards protecting merchant ships against piracy should be governed by a global convention setting legal parameters for using lethal force and making arrests.
BIMCO Publishes Much Anticipated GUARDCON
In March, BIMCO announced the publication of the GUARDCON standard contract for the employment of security guards on vessels.
Kenya Can Try Somali Pirates, Appeal Court Says
Kenya's Court of Appeal says the country's courts have jurisdiction to try Somali pirates caught on international waters.
New Pirate Prison in Somalia Aims to Relieve International Overload
Somali pirates captured at sea and prosecuted in other countries are now being transferred to a new prison in Hargeisa. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime is paying for the transport and the prison facility.
EU Plans to Boost East Africa's Capacity to Deal with Pirates
The European Union announced plans to begin a program to help East African nations improve maritime security as pirate attacks in the region decline.
Piracy is Down, Can We All Go Home?
As the numbers of successful pirate attacks decreases, many are calling the threat from piracy over.
Anti-Piracy Success Puts Funding at Risk
The Commander of Europe's Counter Piracy operations says he fears tactical success against Somali pirates could lead to less support for the Task Force in the future.
EU to Target Pirates Up to Two Kilometers Inland
In late March, the European Union agreed to expand its anti-piracy mission to include land-based targets in Somalia.
EU Anti-Piracy Mission EUNAVFOR Atalanta Extended to 2014
The European Foreign Affairs Council has agreed to extend the mandate of the EU naval operation to countering piracy European Naval Force Somalia - Operation ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA) until December 2014.
Eleventh Plenary Session of the Contact Group off the Coast of Somalia
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia met at United Nations Headquarters in New York on March 29, 2012 and welcomed future steps towards the development of counter-piracy messaging guidelines, amongst other items.
Counter-Piracy Messaging - Looking to Achieve Harmony at a Strategic Level
A Counter-Piracy Messaging and Communications Workshop organized by Oceans Beyond Piracy with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the US Department of State examined how counter-piracy messaging in Somalia and to the international community both work, separately and together.
Oceans Beyond Piracy Announces Ground-Breaking Public-Private Counter-Piracy Contribution with UK FCO
The UK Foreign Commonwealth Office and OBP each contributed funds towards a UNODC counter-piracy media and advocacy campaign in Somalia.
Somalia Media and Telecoms Landscape Guide
A guide to broadcasting and communications channels within Somalia.
