A two day long international conference on dealing with the issues related to maritime piracy and the ways to counter them begins in Dubai today. A high level Indian delegation is participating in the conference to put across Indian perspective in the wake of a large number of Indian hostages held in captivity by the Somali Pirates.
The International Maritime Bureau report says maritime piracy is $7 to $12 billion plus industry fanned by the ransom seeking Somali Pirates off the coast of Oman, Gulf of Eden and the Indian Ocean. Although the number of hostages taken by pirates fell to 555 in 2011 from 645 in 2010, the attacks and hijackings continue. 151 attacks and 25 confirmed cases of hijacking were reported in 2011 while this year till June, 25 attacks and five hijackings have been confirmed. 35 hostages died in the captivity of Somali pirates last year. At least 149 hostages had now been held for more than a year while 26 are in captivity for more than two years. Experts says that figures have come down due to bad weather, efficient patrolling and deterrence by the navies in the region. In May this year 10 Somali pirates were sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE while in March 2011, Indian Navy captured 61 suspected Somali pirates and rescued 13 crew from a hijacked fishing vessel after a crossfire in the Arabian Sea. It is expected that the conference will enhance regional co-operation for sage seas in the region.

Somali pirates have seized an Iranian-owned cargo ship and its 23-strong crew off the Maldives. Maldives defence officials today said it is the first time Somali pirates have taken a ship in its waters. The vessel, the MV Eglantine, was hijacked off the north-western Hoarafush island. 

In recent years Somali pirates have extended the reach of their operations right across the Indian Ocean. According to reports the Maldives has sent a coastguard vessel to the scene.