Somali Pirate Update

Trying to keep track of events taking place off the seas of Somalia is turning into a full time job, but one thing is clear, the naval buildup is just beginning. One could look at the large international warship armada in the area and think there are enough ships to handle the problem. Think again.

Ships Released

We start by noting two high profile releases and a third apparently coming soon. The release getting the most attention is the MV Faina, which was carrying 33 T-72 tanks supposedly bound for Kenya. Kenya has dispatched one of its largest warships to take over escorting the ship from the US Navy, but the rumors surrounding this ship raise a number of unanswered questions. The Sunday Herald speculates a bit with the details.

The big question is: where will the Faina head next? Registered in Belize and owned by a notorious Israeli billionaire arms dealer, Vadim Alperin, the Faina and its cargo of 33 Russian-made T-72 battle tanks, which Israel specialises in upgrading, 150 rocket grenade launchers, six anti-aircraft guns and thousands of tonnes of small arms and ammunition, was reported to be heading for Mombasa. The Kenyan government claimed the weaponry was for its army, but US Navy spokesmen said the tanks and other arms were for delivery to South Sudan, on Kenya's northern border. Russian media reports said the arms consignment had been paid for by the US. Kenyan newspapers produced delivery documents showing the tanks were destined for the government of South Sudan and Kenyan officials have been unable to produce the end-user certificate that would prove their country's rightful ownership.

The Faina saga is embarrassing for Kenya, whose army is equipped with and trained on 76 British-made Vickers Mark-3 tanks and other British equipment, because the 33 T-72s are widely believed to be in addition to the earlier delivery of about 100 T-72s to South Sudan. So the pirates who hijacked the Faina unwittingly did the world's citizens a favour. Without their intervention, the murky, clandestine and conspiratorial role of various players in fuelling a potentially calamitous conflict would be unknown.

Just remember, Kenya is helping the US with piracy by taking the captured pirates and conducting trials, so even if they supply the Sudan the chances of the Obama administration being critical of the effort, much less enforcing the UN ban on weapons are slightly south of nil. Why isn't our pirate prosecution deal with Kenya a form of rendition? Just asking, because the time honored tradition of forcing pirates to walk the plank works too, and unlike rendition, on the spot execution of pirates is LEGAL.

Another somewhat noteworthy release this week was the release of Tianyu No 8 this weekend, a Chinese fishing ship. Is this good news? Consider the AP report.

It said the crew, which included 15 mainland Chinese and one Taiwanese sailor, were in the care of the Chinese navy and were undergoing health checks.

The ministry did not give the nationalities of the other eight crew members, but previous media reports had said there were four Vietnamese, three Filipinos and one Japanese on board.

The pirates had previously claimed they seized the Chinese vessel 30 miles (48 kilometres) off Somalia's southern port of Kismayu because it was fishing in Somali territorial waters, according to China's official Xinhua news agency. They said the crew would be "put before the law and punished accordingly."

I'd be curious which is ultimately more humane, being the prisoner of a Somali pirate or being "punished accordingly" by the Chinese government for 'being caught' illegally fishing off the coast of Somalia. Honestly, I have no sympathy for the fishermen, illegally fishing off the coast of Somalia is a major part of this problem, so good for the Chinese government in my opinion, but the original question regarding humane treatment is still valid.

Sea Sentinel reported this week the Egyption fertiliser ship Blue Star is set to be released next. The BBC reported a ransom of $3M has been paid and the ship should be released soon. Something to keep an eye on.

Deploying Naval Power

A number of nations are sending their naval vessels to Somalia, and this week we learned details of several of these upcoming deployments.w Seden announced this week they will be sending their International Corvette Force to operate off the coast of Somalia later this year. The agreement is to send 2 corvettes and one support ship, which contradicts earlier reporting they would be sending 3 corvettes and a support ship. The original report suggested HMS Stockholm (K11). HMS Malmo (K12), HMS Visby (K31), and HMS Trossö (A264) would be sent. It is anyones guess which ships will ultimately be sent, but I hope they send HMS Visby (K31) so the US Navy can get a really good look at her doing what modern corvettes can do.

We also learned something very interesting from the Russian press, and while it may be old news, it was news to me to learn the Russian Navy is operating as part of EU NAVFOR.

Why is that interesting? Because apparently Turkey is sending TCG Giresun (F 491) to fight pirates off Somalia, and that ship is likely to work with CTF-151, not EU NAVFOR. Russia will work with Europe, but Turkey will be working with the US Navy? I think it is noteworthy all of the eastern naval powers, including ALL of the Islamic countries, are trending their cooperative efforts into CTF-151. Check out the Bosphorus Naval News blog for good background why Turkey may not be part of EU NAVFOR, and the details of the upcoming deployment.

South Korea will soon be deploying the KDX-II class destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976) to fight piracy. It is unclear when exactly that deployment will take place, but latest reports suggest sooner rather than later. In March, the Japanese will also be sending ships, specifically JDS Sazanami (DD-113) and JDS Samidare (DD 106) to fight piracy. It is still unclear how this will effect JDS Ariake (DD 109) and JDS Towada (AOE 422) already in the region supporting the Japanese refueling mission to the region.

Finally, India is sending INS Tabar (F44) back to Somalia to reinforce INS Beas (F24) still operating in the area. If you remember, INS Tabar (F44) was in the region fighting pirates late last year, when it blew up a ship that may or may not have been a pirate mothership.

It is also worth noting that over the next few months we expect the Royal Navy Taurus 09 amphibious task force to enter the Indian Ocean region, as well as SNMG1, both of which represent major international task forces that will be heading all the way over to Strait of Malacca and beyond over the next few months. Together those two groups represent at least 15 or more warships that will be moving through the Indian Ocean soon.

The Pirate Fight

The combination of naval forces and convoy escorts has severely limited the options of Somali pirates attempting to capture ships, but the results still tell a scary story. According to the 2008 piracy summary NATO has available on their shipping center website, 2009 is already exceeding 2008 in piracy. In January 3 ships were hijacked: MV BLUE STAR, MV SEA PRINCESS II, and MV LONGCHAMP. The details of the hijacking of MV LONGCHAMP are in dispute, but there does appear to be some tactical evolution taking place to counter the presence of coalition naval vessels.

Regardless, while three ships so far into 2009 is much fewer than the number of ships hijacked in the last months of 2008, it still represents an increase, not decrease in piracy. In January of 2008 there were 0 ships hijacked, and in February of 2008 there was only 1. There were also 0 in March of 2008, and only one in April. Indeed there are already more hijackings this year off the coast of Somalia than there were in the first 4 months of 2008, and we are still a long way to May. One of the reasons there are fewer hijackings this time of year is due to higher winds and high sea states.

Which means mother nature appears to be the biggest factor here, like it is this time of year every year. This gives the various naval forces time to be ready for when the weather changes.