Why aren’t governments doing more to curb pirate attacks on commercial vessels near Somalia?

As you read about modern-day pirate attacks in the news, you may wonder why local and national governments aren’t doing more to deter pirate attacks in busy shipping waters; the answer may not be as simple as you think. Although many governments have taken a stand against piracy—both in the Gulf of Aden and in other high-risk areas around the world—efforts to control piracy have had a limited effect. Here are just a few reasons why governments struggle to find a solution to modern-day piracy: 

  • Pirates can move to new areas of operation. Pirates are increasingly organized and mobile, meaning that they can simply change their base of operations if enforcement efforts are stepped up in some areas.
  • Piracy takes place in international waters. As pirates hijack better vessels, they are increasingly able to operate further from the coast—where individual governments have no jurisdiction.
  • Political issues get in the way. Disagreements, tension between nations, and an ever-changing political landscape can make coordinating anti-piracy efforts extremely difficult. 
  • Economic issues limit enforcement. As good as increased enforcement may look on paper, the reality is that many governments simply don’t have the resources to launch large enforcement campaigns.

If you served as a crewmember on a vessel that has been attacked by pirates, don’t wait until it’s too late to find out about your rights. Speak to our team today by calling 877-724-7800. Or take a moment to check out our YouTube channel for more valuable tips and information to help you get started.