All Time High
Global attacks on ships rose to an all-time high of 266 during the first six months of 2011, up from 196 in 2010, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
More than 117 ships were attacked and 20 seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia alone since January 1, 2011, with 28 ships and 518 hostages held for ransom as of the end of April 2011.
