​Data on incidents reported to IMO shows that the hijack of the tanker Aris 13, on 13 March, is the first reported hijack of a vessel covered by IMO regulations by Somali pirates since the tanker Smyrni in May 2012. Since 2012, although piracy has been largely contained, Somali pirates have continued to attempt to hijack ships, but less frequently.

The pirates, releasing the tanker and its crew, said they had agreed to forego a ransom after learning that Somali businessmen had hired the Aris 13, which was taking oil from Djibouti to the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Pirates have traditionally been wary of tangling with Somalia's powerful businessmen. (Reuters)

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has urged the shipping industry to apply diligently IMO guidance and best management practices to avert possible piracy attacks, in the wake of the hijack of the Aris 13, off Puntland, Somalia.

IMO General Secretary Kitack Lim made a call to ships transiting the high-risk area that they follow IMO guidance and best management practices. Specifically, they should register with the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa  (MSCHOA), report to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office in Dubai, implement IMO guidance and Best Management Practices (BMP).

Source: IMO's website and Reuters report.

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/10-BMP-piracy.aspx

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-somalia-hijack-idUSKBN16L0EW?il=0