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