Piracy in Somalia and its Effect on the World Economy

Piracy has certainly been a problem in Somalia for the last ten years, but just in the past year the number of incidents has more than doubled. Over one hundred cases of piracy and armed attacks were recorded over the past year, which means the Somali coast can be counted among the most dangerous waters in the world. The Somali coast is already patrolled by naval ships of (among others) the USA, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Greece, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Russia, India, Korea, Japan, China and Malaysia. In a single week, 15 ships have been seized by pirates despite the presence of many naval vessels. In 12 months over 2008 and 2009, the Somali pirates have gained a record sum estimated at over 120 million dollars (79 million euro) through extortion after the seizure of ships, and over 100 ships have been attacked in Somali coastal waters. The area in which the pirates frequently operate is the Puntland State of Somalia, a semi-autonomous part of Somalia that links the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and (via the Suez Canal) with the Mediterranean area.

Due to the high maintenance costs, crew salaries and other expenses, patrolling by a variety of warships is an expensive operation. Nobody knows how long these patrols will last and even  necessary. The question is who will have to bear the cost of these patrolling operations in the near future. It is likely that commercial enterprises – especially shipping companies – will soon be asked to contribute towards the continuation of the patrols. Some shipping companies have already opted for other, more expensive sea routes. These alternative sea routes greatly increase shipping costs and hence the cost of the transported goods. Consumers, already squeezed hard by the economic crisis, are the victims of this situation.

The strategy currently chosen by the international community is to increase patrolling, send more ships to Somalia and establish an international tribunal to try pirates. Despite the presence of numerous warships, the pirates continue to seize many more ships. Furthermore, arresting pirates and trying them in a different region is a problematic procedure due to complex international law and regulations.

It is therefore high time that a more pragmatic and cost-effective solutions are sought  than sending naval ships and setting up an international tribunal. Should we not consider the causes of marine piracy, as well as how to suppress it? Taking into account the problems of illegal fishing and the dumping of toxic waste off the coast of Somalia, what is the most efficient way to combat piracy? These and other questions will be  addressed during the conference on piracy in Somalia, to be held in The Hague on Tuesday, 8 December 2009.

This conference is organized by Somali Diaspora organization based in the Netherlands, PUNTNED, OTP and Nedsom.

The participants of the conference will include a high level delegation from Somalia, headed by the Prime Minister of the TFG Dr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and The President of the autonomous region of Puntland State, Dr.Abdirahman Mohamed Farole.

The conference is sponsored by NCDO and Fortis Foundation (Fortis Bank Nederland).

For More information Please contact with:

Mahad Musse
Conference coordinator
Tel: +31 70 3881571
mob: +31 625372178
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
            This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it