Security

3.6, piracy

Somalia: gunmen holding general vessel cargo Amiya Scan (2546 gt, built 2004) off Somalia reportedly demanded a $1.1mn ransom for the vessel, a day after the United Nations Security Council gave countries the right to combat piracy. The United Nations authorised foreign warships to enter Somalian waters to fight pirates. The resolution was passed after the Somali government asked for help. The coast off the East African country is considered to be among the most dangerous in the world. More than a dozen pirate attacks have taken place this year alone. The Amiya Scan sails under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and was seized by Somali pirates on May 26, as it was sailing to Constanza. However, the Dutch owner of Amiya Scan , Reider Shipping, denied comments that the pirates had demanded a $1.1mn ransom for the vessel, Dutch radio said. Reports suggested that while the pirates holding the Dutch ship demanded a ransom of $1.1mn, the owners said they were willing to pay $700,000.