Geneva (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Southeast Asia and its trade routes have become the most fiery point for piracy, so as to remove the primacy of Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
According to a UN report (United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR), last year there were 150 pirate attacks in the Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia, with a steady growth since 2010.
For its part, the International Maritime Bureau reports that this year, between January and March there have already been 23 attacks, particularly off the coast of Indonesia.
According to the UNITAR, the situation will only worsen as the area is becoming the center of gravity of global maritime traffic.
There is also a rise in attacks in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa), where last year 50 incidents were registered.
UNITAR also informs that there is a drop in piracy in the western Indian Ocean: last year, 28 ships have been attacked but none was seized.
The attacks also fell in the area off the Somali coast. This is due to the international military escorts patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Many merchant ships, also, have started to have armed men on board.
According to the World Bank, the attacks of piracy accounts for 18 billion U.S. dollars per year on the global economy and on transportation costs.