Pirate Attacks Grew 36 Percent in First Half of 2011

There were 36 percent more international pirate attacks in the first half of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, but Somali pirates' hijacking success has fallen.

Pirate attacks on the world's oceans totaled 266 in the first six months of 2011, up 36 percent from 196 attacks in the same period last year, according to a report released by the International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre.

Somali pirates were responsible more than 60 percent of the attacks, a majority of which were in the Arabian Sea area, according to the report, "Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships".

As of June 30, Somali pirates were holding 20 vessels and 420 crew and demanding ransoms of millions of dollars.

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