INTERTANKO applauds the result of a plea bargaining agreement in the U.S. whereby a Somali national, who a few weeks ago escaped trial when a U.S. federal judge threw out a case accusing him and 5 colleagues of piracy, has pleaded guilty to piracy-related acts and will receive a significant prison sentence.

Jama Idle Ibrahim, a/k/a Jaamac Ciidle, of Somalia, pleads guilty to acts of piracy against the USS Ashland, which he believed was a merchant vessel that he intended to seize and hold for ransom

Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. announces that the MV Bet Fighter, a 1992 built, 173,149 dwt Capesize vessel which was boarded by pirates off Singapore, on August 17, is now continuing with her voyage with no disruption. During this incident the pirates did not seize the vessel or any of its crew members and left of their own accord.

It has been reported that the five Somali pirates recently tried by the Rotterdam courts for the failed hijack of the Sananyolu, have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

An unprecedented coalition of organisations – from trade unions to shipowners’ associations and insurers – has joined forces to back a global e-petition demanding concrete action to end the piracy that is putting lives at risk and threatening world trade.

The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest quarterly report on Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships recorded a total of 67 incidents of piracy worldwide in the first three months of 2010.

The Former Dell Inc. Vice President, Steve Belt, has joined the private maritime security company Marque Star as CTO.

Ongoing success of international naval anti-piracy operation depends on full cooperation from ships.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos has reiterated IMO’s assurance to the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, Mr. Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, that the Organization stands ready to assist Somalia in repressing piracy off its coast and in the Gulf of Aden.

Global piracy figures have already surpassed the total number of attacks recorded in 2008, according to the latest quarterly piracy report released today by the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Based on interviews with attacked parties, in-depth research and analysis, a new report from Risk Intelligence explains the six phases of a Somalia hijacking and clearly states what is necessary for contingency planning.

BCB International will be unveiling the Buccaneer Ship-Borne Shore Launcher (SBSL) on Stand 447 at DSEi, 8-11 Sept 2009 at the ExCel Centre in London.

The lull in Gulf of Aden pirate attacks during monsoon season means kidnap and ransom insurance rates for such risks have fallen by around 30%.

U.S. Flag Carrier Committed to Supporting Merchant Mariners Safety at Sea.

Piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 from 114 during the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2008, according to the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB).

How can pirate attacks and/or armed robberies on merchant ships be deterred, delayed or even prevented? How can merchant ships prepare before entering a high-risk area? and how to minimise the risk of being attacked?

Pirate attacks along the coast of Nigeria are going unreported and could exceed those taking place off the coast of Somalia, warns a report by a leading risk consultancy that operates in the region.

VessEx Expands Its Ship Recovery Service to Deter and Repel Pirate Attacks.

In its 2009 first quarter piracy report, the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) states that attacks in this period have almost doubled compared to the corresponding period in 2008.

THE 74,000 dwt Liberian-flag panamax tanker Lia, commercially managed by Amsterdam-based Seaarland Shipping Management, and technically managed by Motia Compagnia di Navigazione, has escaped a pirate attack thanks to swift action by EURONAVFOR warships.

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos has urged the Government of Nigeria to intervene to help reduce the incidence of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Gulf of Guinea and in the waters off the coast of Nigeria.

INTERTANKO’s Documentary Committee responds to the need for a model piracy clause.

A high-level meeting in Djibouti has been convened by IMO to help address the problem of piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

Espada Logistics and Security Group has expanded its base of operation from South America to the Gulf of Aden by providing onsite security and consulting services to the maritime industry.

Global risk and insurance firm Aon has launched a new insurance policy for charterers, shipowners and cargo owners to cover loss of earnings from a ship being detained by pirates.