Anti-piracy measures in the Golf of Aden will be steeped up in 2009 after more than 100 attacks in 2008. The United States will lead a new anti-piracy task force which will include Canada, Iran, India and China.
The US Fifth Fleet has announced the establishment of a new international naval force to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean after a wave of hijackings off the coast of Somalia.
“The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has established Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) specifically for counter-piracy operations,” the Bahrain-based fleet said in a statement.
US Navy Rear Admiral Terence McKnight has been named commander of the task force, which is expected to be “fully operational by the middle of January,” according to the statement.
CMF Commander US Vice Admiral Bill Gortney said in the statement that the new task force would focus exclusively on the fight against increasingly bold acts of piracy being carried out by pirates operating from largely lawless Somalia. ABC NEWS
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,835 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
With the Indian Ocean monsoon season ending, Somali piracy activity is expected to rise. After a four-year absence, Somali piracy has resurged dramatically in the past year, culminating in pirates...
The European Union’s Operation ATALANTA is monitoring a Chinese fishing vessel allegedly hijacked off Somalia’s northeastern Puntland coast. The vessel, which remains within Somali territorial waters, has been confirmed to...
Two Somali pirates have been brought to justice in the United States for their roles in a harrowing 977-day hostage-taking of an American journalist. In a landmark judgment, Somali nationals...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,835 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
