afrol News, 22 August - Somali transitional government has appealed for urgent intervention of United Nations to halt worsening hijackings off Somalia coast. An appeal follows fourth seizure of German operated cargo ship hijacked at 09:45 am seeing the number rising to four in just 48 hours.

International Chamber of Commerce's Piracy Reporting Centre head Noel Chong, said there is no easy way out of such piracy, saying it’s the easy way of pirates and warlords make money.

Waters off East African coast, are considered among the most dangerous in the world, with cargo ships and luxury yachts being targeted by heavily armed pirates demanding ransom. Pirates are also targeting ships carrying food aid.

"Investigation is carried out to research whether it is different group of pirates who have committed this dangerous act," Mr Chong said.

There are also sparking fears that piracy could worsen, the bureau's piracy reporting centre has informed US-led coalition naval forces to help stop the menace.

Mr Chong, said recent attacks took place very near to each other, but he was not able to say whether the same group was responsible

"Whether it's a different group of pirates, we can't tell until an investigation is carried out. We have sent out an urgent warning to all ships traveling through the Gulf of Aden," he said.

On Wednesday armed pirates hijacked Malaysian palm oil tanker and more than 20 crew members in the Gulf of Eden off coast of Somalia, while on Thursday morning Iranian bulk carrier and a Japanese-operated tanker were also seized by pirates.

International Maritime Bureau, which monitors shipping crime, said in April that 49 pirate attacks on ships were reported in the first three months of 2008, compared with 41 for the same period last year. It recorded 263 pirates attacks last year, up from 239 a year before and the first increase in three.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 and foreign vessels are frequently seized for ransom by pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and automatic weapons, making it difficult and expensive to deliver aid.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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