Naval forces and marine monitoring groups have said an increased presence of warships in high risk areas is a crucial deterrent against a resurgence in Somali piracy.
Somali pirates hijacked a Maltese-registered cargo vessel MV Ruen on December 14, in the first successful case of hostage-taking off the coast of Somalia in six years.
Seventeen crew members were taken captive in an attack that has triggered calls for sustained vigilance from bodies such as Atalanta, a counter-piracy military operation in the region led by the EU Naval Force (Eunavfor).
“Atalanta continues to monitor the situation intensively together with the Somali police forces,” an EU Naval Force representative told The National, referring to the crew being held captive on board the MV Ruen.
Nearly 20 nations are part of Operation Atalanta, providing maritime security in the Red Sea and north-western Indian Ocean.
“Operation Atalanta remains firmly committed to maintaining maritime security in the area and allowing freedom of navigation," the representative said.
“Eunavfor’s mandate has kept the fight against piracy at the centre of its tasks.
"Therefore, we have always kept our utmost focus on these threats and remain fully committed to fighting the mafias that carry them out.”
The hijacking by Somali pirates came after a surge in attacks by Houthi rebels targeting ships passing through the Red Sea in retaliation for the military operation by Israel in Gaza.
This has led to the US and European nations sending warships to the region to protect one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
“Co-operation between international naval forces together with the forces of the coastal countries in the area of operations, in this case Somalia, is essential to tackle any piracy threat,” the Eunavfor representative said.
“The role of regional maritime security centres, such as those in the Seychelles, Oman and Madagascar, among others, should also be highlighted. Co-operation with them ensures a much more complete and effective awareness of the maritime security situation.”
Chance of more piracy attacks
Marine monitoring groups that have advocated caution do not view the hijacking of the MV Ruen as an isolated attack and have warned that the threat of Somali piracy persists.
“Somali pirates continue to possess the capability to carry out incidents far from the Somali coast,” said Michael Howlett, director of ICC International Maritime Bureau. "Every successful hijacking increases the probability of more incidents being initiated. A continued and increased naval presence will be a contributing deterrent factor."
Somali pirates have caused chaos in vital channels, especially since a surge of activity in 2008, taking dozens of crew members hostage and demanding millions of dollars in ransom.
Following sustained efforts to combat Somali piracy for more than a decade, there was a reduction in naval patrolling with a decrease in armed attacks from 2018.
Since the start of the year, naval presence in the region looks set to build up over the next few months.
Somali pirates continue to possess the capability to carry out incidents far from the Somali coast
Michael Howlett,
director of International Maritime Bureau
“Naval patrolling and interventions have been the most successful of deterrent actions in all cases of piracy and armed robbery globally,” Mr Howlett said.
“The international navies have contributed significantly to the decline of Somali piracy.
"Their continued presence in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and off the east coast of Somalia is a necessity. An increase in their presence will certainly give seafarers greater confidence while transiting these waters.”
Maritime authorities have also warned merchant vessels to strengthen measures on board to keep Somali pirates at bay.
Armed security guards on board, high-pressure water cannon and razor wire across ships to make boarding difficult are among measures that have been used to secure vessels.
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Points tally
1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
if you go
The flights
Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.
The trip
Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
