Held To Ransom

The future of ransom payments remains uncertain at the moment given the surprisign recent response by the Somali authorities.

According to the head of the Transitional Federal Government’s Anti-Piracy Task Force, Prof. Muhyadin Ali Yusuf, the shipping industry had better get used to a tough new position. “The Somali position on ransoms is clear; payment of this money has to be stopped through good strategy,” he told.

While the Somali government stance on ransoms may have shocked many, it has prompted investigations elsewhere.

The UK Foreign Office has opened its own investigation into piracy and ransoms. However The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) believe shipowners will not be discouraged and will still find a way to make the payments.