Poor economic conditions have driven many Somalis to a life of piracy.
Ships are taken hostage in the Indian Ocean on a regular basis and the situation is getting worse by the week.
Last year one thousand one hundred and eighty one people were held hostage off the Somali coast. About half were released after the payment of ransoms and roughly seven hundred and sixty are still being held.
Many have died due to neglect and hunger and last month four Americans were shot dead on their private yacht.
The pirates are attacking both merchant and tourist vessels and in some cases using the merchant ships to launch further attacks.
The number of attacks has risen dramatically in the past few years. In 2005, there were thirty five attacks compared to two hundred and nineteen last year.
Ransom demands have also increased sharply from one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 2005 to an average of five point four million dollars per ship last year.
International shipping bodies have been working hard to tackle the growing problem.
Peter Hinchliffe is the Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping in London. He explained to me what the problem involves and what is being down to combat it.
Ships are taken hostage in the Indian Ocean on a regular basis and the situation is getting worse by the week.
Last year one thousand one hundred and eighty one people were held hostage off the Somali coast. About half were released after the payment of ransoms and roughly seven hundred and sixty are still being held.
Many have died due to neglect and hunger and last month four Americans were shot dead on their private yacht.
The pirates are attacking both merchant and tourist vessels and in some cases using the merchant ships to launch further attacks.
The number of attacks has risen dramatically in the past few years. In 2005, there were thirty five attacks compared to two hundred and nineteen last year.
Ransom demands have also increased sharply from one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 2005 to an average of five point four million dollars per ship last year.
International shipping bodies have been working hard to tackle the growing problem.
Peter Hinchliffe is the Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping in London. He explained to me what the problem involves and what is being down to combat it.