Piracy dips but Indonesia remains violent black spot

LONDON - Piracy at sea fell by a quarter in 2004, although violence rose in the trade-critical Malacca Straits, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

The bureau said the number of reported attacks on merchant shipping dropped to 325, compared with 445 in 2003.

Pottengal Mukundan, the director of the bureau, said: "Although the decline in the number of attacks is to be welcomed, there is concern that in some key hot spots the situation has deteriorated."

The bureau said Indonesia remained the world's top piracy black spot. It ranked the Malacca Straits, one of the world's busiest sea lanes, second worst - despite joint military patrols to deter crime.

Many of the attacks were serious in the strategic channel, with vessels being fired upon and crew kidnapped for ransom.

The narrow strait between Malaysia and Indonesia, with Singapore at its southern entrance, carries more than a quarter of the world's trade and most of Japan and China's crucial oil imports.

The agency said the number of mariners killed worldwide increased to 30, up from 21 in 2003.

A total of 86 crew were kidnapped with gangs demanding ransoms for their release.

The bureau said oil-producer Nigeria was the most dangerous area in Africa for piracy and armed robbery. Attacks in Lagos accounted for the highest number in a single port. Nigeria's oil ports and oil tankers were also targeted.

Balikpapan, a major oil port in Indonesia, had the third highest number of attacks reported. A quarter of attacks worldwide were on oil tankers, the bureau said.

Other areas showing a marked increase in attacks included Malaysia, the Singapore Straits, South China Sea and Haiti.

There was a significant drop in the number of attacks in the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, the Caribbean and in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

- REUTERS