Pirates – Page 2 – Heather E. Lanthorn

pirates make UN sexy — but at high price

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-16/war-on-somali-piracy-needs-rules-and-impregnable-citadels.html key points: pirates (as a topic, apparently, not as guests) make a meeting sexy 219 piracy incidents in 2010 cost “the shipping industry, insurers, navies and law enforcement more than $7 billion” speeding may not be the answer but impregnable citadels are (?). shockingly, “it may be futile to expect shippers to run at full speed throughContinueContinue reading “pirates make UN sexy — but at high price”

economics of piracy

economic cost: piracy’s global financial damage is in the range of USD 7 – 12 billion “in somalia, the economic model for piracy is working well. in 2010, the US, EU and the UK gave the country a combined $298m in aid – less than half the sum pocketed by the pirates when light aircraftContinueContinue reading “economics of piracy”

new pirate prison set up in somaliland

more here. unclear how much it will do to deter piracy but will help relieve pressure in neighboring (prosecuting) countries — though very few will ever be prosecuted (and many released). “the pirates know what the odds are when they get into the business – four out of 10 pirates that go out on theContinueContinue reading “new pirate prison set up in somaliland”

somali pirates switching back to smaller boats

to remain less conspicuous, Somali pirates have been switching back to using smaller, more traditional boats (e.g., i think) as motherships, which blend in with fishing boats. this probably will keep them closer to shore. more here. a few points of note: “a study published in February by U.S. non-governmental organisation One Earth Future FoundationContinueContinue reading “somali pirates switching back to smaller boats”

Development effects of piracy in Somalia (as studied by day & night satellite images)

Can I come up with a reason to study the health impacts of piracy? Ideas welcome! “Piracy has created employment and considerable multiplier effects in the Puntland economy, even if a significant proportion of the proceeds is invested in foreign goods or channelled to foreign financiers. The distribution of ransoms follows traditional patterns in Somalia, involving considerable redistribution andContinueContinue reading “Development effects of piracy in Somalia (as studied by day & night satellite images)”