Somali Pirates Demand Compensation for Fellows Deaths

Extracted 15JUL2011 from http://www.handyshippingguide.com/shipping-news/somali-pirates-demand-compens...

Speaking to the Associated Press Hassan Abdi, one of the pirates holding 25 crew aboard the MV Gemini, said that they wanted a change in approach from the South Korean government towards the pirates, describing current policy as “foolish treatment”, as well as an unspecified amount of compensation and release of prisoners...

The actions raises questions now on the efficacy of paying ransoms to pirates when the groups now seem intent on pressing other issues which are beyond the concerns the ship owner and shipping lines.

The new “policy” may also increase the interest of shipping companies in further exploring the possibility of carrying armed personnel aboard to protect their vessels and crews. According to a report in the South China Morning Post yesterday, Chinese shipping giant Cosco is planning to spend $12 million on armed guards and other measures to protect its ships.