Maritime watchdog sounds alarm

Maritime watchdog sounds alarm

MALAYSIA: Armed pirates continue to attack ships in Indonesian waters, increasing the risk of environmental disaster and exposing the region to heightened terror threats, a maritime watchdog warned on Tuesday.

The bridge of one tanker was left unmanned for an hour after armed pirates rounded up its crew, threatening a collision with other vessels in the world's busiest shipping lanes, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said.

In the past few weeks, an Indian oil tanker and a Panama bulk carrier were targeted by pirates while a Singapore-owned tugboat was also hijacked, Noel Choong, IMB regional manager told AFP.

The attacks follow an increasing number of acts of piracy reported worldwide and come amid fears of terrorist attacks against ships and ports in the region. -- AFP