From NATO:  Today marks the first anniversary of NATO ships in the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy. Five NATO ships arrived in the Gulf of Aden on 24th March 2009 as part of NATO’s counter piracy mission, Operation Allied Protector. Their aim was to disrupt and deter the piracy that was rife in the Gulf of Aden at that time. A year later our ships are still there but with an enhanced operational aim and with notable successes achieved. …

90% of global trade by volume is carried by sea with 50% of the world’s containers passing through the Indian Ocean. The Gulf of Aden sees over 22 000 ships per year transiting through on their way to countries all over the globe making it an important route for trade. …

In 2008 there were 33 ships pirated in the Gulf of Aden, in 2009 this dropped to 19. …

So far in 2010 there have been 4 ships pirated in the Gulf of Aden and 4 pirated in the Somali Basin. (photo: NATO)

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