afrol News, 14 August - Maritime watchdog in Somali waters has called on United Nations and coalition forces to help cease pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden, following latest abduction of a cargo ship from Thailand.

International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has raised concern with increased hijack and attack reports in recent weeks, off Somali coast.

On Tuesday, Somali pirates hijacked a Thai general cargo ship, which is the third in a series with a month. Noel Choong, head of the Kuala Lumpur-based International Maritime Bureau said the ship was caught in the Gulf of Aden, and the bureau's Piracy Reporting Center was unable to provide further information on the attack because the boat was still moving with the hijackers on board.

"In view of the crew safety, we are unable to provide further details," Mr. Choong was quoted.

He further said, because Somalia had no central government, military forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden should take the lead to prevent piracy in the region, urging UN and coalition forces to cease piracy attacks.

Recent week's reports show that there have been several attacks and hijackings off the Somali coast.

According to IMB, pirates fired rocket-propelled grenade on a Singapore-flagged boat, but which did not explode, in an attack last week. A coalition warship scared away the attackers and the vessel escaped unscathed.

On 20 July, a Japanese-owned bulk carrier was stopped by pirates, who demanded ransom from the owners.

Also a Nigerian tugboat is suspected to have been seized on 4 August, but the centre is still seeking more details on the case.

Somali coastline is perceived as one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy. The number of attacks on vessels has more than tripled last year to 31 incidents, compared with 10 a year earlier, IMB said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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