The Russian navy detains a pirate "mothership" and two speedboats. The Peter the Great missile cruiser intercepts the vessels near Yemen's Socotra Island at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Ten pirates are arrested.

Singapore announces its navy will send a ship to participate in anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden. Once the operational arrangements are made, Singapore will deploy a Landing Ship Tank (LST) with two Super Puma helicopters for a period of three months this year. The vessel will join the multi-national Combined Task Force 151.

Seven suspected Somali pirates re detained in the Gulf of Aden by the crew of the USS Vella Gulf. According to the US Navy, this is the first time the multi-national Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) has apprehended pirates.

The Vella Gulf responded to a distress call from the Marshall Islands-flagged M/V Polaris and intercepted the hijackers, who will soon be transferred to a temporary holding facility on board the USNS Lewis and Clark.

The Dutch extradite five Somalis caught by the Danish navy while allegedly trying to hijack a Dutch Antilles-registered cargo freighter on January 2. The suspected pirates are turned over to Dutch authorities in Bahrain and then flown to the Netherlands.

Pirates finally release the MV Faina, which was hijacked last September. This is the Ukrainian ship that is carrying arms, munitions and 33 Soviet-era T-72 tanks. The pirates supposedly receive a $3.2 million ransom, which is a far cry from the original $35 million they demanded.

Now the international community turns its attention to where this shipment is headed. Originally, the Faina was to dock in Mombasa. The Kenyan government claims it is the purchaser of the cargo. However, there is speculation that the shipment is ultimately destined for the government of South Sudan.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirms that the Antigua-flagged, Turkish-owned cargo ship, MV Bosphorus Prodigy, was released by its Somali hijackers. The vessel and her crew of 8 Ukrainians and 3 Turks were seized in December and set free on February 2nd. It is not clear whether the ship's owners, Iskomarine Shipping & Trading, paid a ransom.

Somali pirates say they are finalizing ransom negotiations with the owners of the MV Faina that is sitting off the coast of Haradhere, Somalia. A ransom deal was supposedly hashed out back in November 2008, but now it seems like the end of this ordeal may really be near.

The Ukrainian ship was seized in September last year. It is carrying a crew of 20 and a cargo of military equipment including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns and 33 Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, the company operating the hijacked MT Longchamp, makes contact with the pirates to discuss the vessel's release. It is believed the pirates have asked for $6 million to let the ship and her crew go. The Longchamp is carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) convened a meeting in Djibouti this week aimed at concluding a regional agreement on combating piracy and armed robbery against ships. This summit produces the "Djibouti Code of Conduct" signed by 8 regional coastal states and Ethiopia.

Although the accord does not include all the draft measures the IMO recommends, what is agreed to should help in the maritime piracy fight. Elements of the agreement include the creation of three regional information centers, a training center for anti-piracy units in Djibouti, and signatory nations are to make the necessary legislative changes to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of suspected pirates.

The German-owned tanker MV Longchamp is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. The ship is transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and is carrying a crew of 13.

Japan decides to send two destroyers from its Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) to the Horn of Africa where they will escort Japanese commercial vessels in an attempt to prevent hijackings.

Somali pirates release the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker MV Biscaglia and her crew of 31. It is not clear whether a ransom is paid or not. An interesting detail about this hijacking, which occurred on November 28, 2008, is that when the ship was attacked there were three private unarmed security guards onboard. Before the pirates seized the vessel the guards escaped by jumping into the ocean. Coalition naval forces later rescued them.

The ICC International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Center releases its annual piracy report, and "Surprise!", Somalia lands at the #1 spot. According to the report, in 2008, acts of piracy off the Horn of Africa increased by nearly 200%.

The Iranian bulk carrier Delight is released by its hijakcers. The owners, Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, do not say if a ransom has been paid to free the ship and her 25 crewmembers.

Five of the dozens of pirates who took part in the hijacking of the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star drown while heading back to shore. The men were in a small boat carrying 8 pirates when it capsized. Three of the criminals survive. The body of one of the pirates washes up on shore with more than $150,000 on it.

The Saudi supertanker, the Sirius Star, which was hijacked on November 15 is finally released after the vessel's owners pay a $3 million ransom. This is a significant sum, but a far cry from the $35 million the pirates originally asked for.

The owners of the MV Yasa Neslihan cargo ship confirm that Somali pirates have released the vessel and her crew. It is reported that Yasa Holding Company did pay a ransom for their ship, which was seized on October 29 in the Gulf of Aden.

China establishes a system that allows Chinese merchant vessels to apply for naval escorts when transiting the Gulf of Aden. Chinese merchant ships can request protection by applying to the China Shipowners' Association (CSA) and China Maritime Search and Rescue Center (CMSRC).

The crew of the French warship Jean de Vienne foils two attempted hijackings in the Gulf of Aden and capturs 19 alleged pirates.

In the past 24 hours the EU naval mission in the Gulf of Aden has a couple successes in the fight against maritime piracy. First, a French warship intercepts and arrests 8 suspected pirates, and turns them over to Somali authorities. In the second incident, EU forces scare off a group of pirates who twice try to hijack the Greek oil tanker Kriti Episkopi.

The first successful Somali pirate attack of the New Year takes place. On New Years Day hijackers seize an Egyptian cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. The ship's name is reported to be the Blue Star, and it is carrying a crew of 28 who are now hostages.

Petroleum companies warn that Tanzania is likely to suffer a fuel shortage as a result of maritime piracy off the coast of East Africa. Petroleum shippers do not want to risk having their tankers hijacked and held for ransom.

Three Chinese warships leave for Somalia to try and help combat maritime piracy in the region. The vessels join others from the U.S., EU, NATO, India and Russia.

The United Nations Security Council approves a resolution allowing international military forces to conduct land-based operations against suspected pirates in Somalia. This is a U.S.-backed resolution despite the fact that senior U.S. defense officials have said the U.S. does not have the appropriate intelligence to conduct military strikes on land against the pirates.

Pirates in the Gulf of Aden attack at least four vessels in 48 hours. Three attacks - one against an Indonesian or Malaysian tugboat, one against the Turkish cargo ship MV Bosphorus Prodigy, and one against a private yacht - are all successful.

However, a Chinese trawler escapes after calling in support from the coalition anti-piracy naval patrol.

The Indian navy foils a pirate attack against the Ethiopian vessel, MV Gibe, and apprehends 23 suspected pirates, captures a number of vessels, and seizes a large weapons cache. The pirates are a mix of Somali and Yemeni nationals.

The "Manama Dialogue" opens in Bahrain. The 25 nations attending this regional security summit cover a great deal. The first vital subject up for discussion is how to combat Somali maritime piracy.

In addressing the problem, senior U.S. defense officials express doubts about launching operations on land against Somalia's pirates. First, U.S. Defense Secretary Gates says the United States does not have the appropriate intelligence to conduct military strikes on land against the pirates. Second, Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, commander of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet expresses not only the inherent difficulties in identifying pirates on land, but also suggests that shipping companies must employ more armed security guards on vessels.

Somali pirates on board the hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina claim two of their own were attacked by some of the hostage crewmembers, and that these mutineers are going to be seriously punished.

However, the Somalis are thought to be lying, and this is being used as a bargaining chip to get the American Navy to return two captured pirates who were caught as they made their way to shore this past weekend.

In order to avoid the risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, Germany's Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which operates around-the-world cruises, decides to disembark the passengers and most of the crew from the MS Columbus before the ship transits the pirate-infested waterway. The passengers and crew are flown from an undisclosed port to Dubai. The ship then meets them a few days later in Oman.

Somali pirates set free the Greek-owned M/V Captain Stefanos and its 19 crewmen. The ship was seized in the Gulf of Aden on September 21. It is not clear if a ransom is paid or not, but it seems likely.

Pirates, presumably from Somalia, are trying to extend their reach with an attack on a Dutch container ship about 480 miles off the coast of the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. Luckily the Dutch vessel avoids capture. This attack is one of the furthest south since the Somalia piracy problem began in late 2006.

The crew of the Danish warship HDMS Absalon, resuces seven suspected Somli pirates from their disabled motorboat in the Gulf of Aden. The Danish navy then sinks the pirate speedboat.

Although the Danes find assault weapons and grenade launchers on the speedboat, the pirates are not arrested. Instead they are turned over to the Yemeni coast guard.

A Yemeni cargo ship, the MV Amani, is set free. The local authorities and clan elders negotiate the vessel's release, and the state minister of Somalia's autonomous Puntland region claims no ransom is paid.

This is rare for Somali pirates to release a ship without getting a ransom. Perhaps the hijackers did so because the ship belonged to another Muslim nation. Another instance where pirates let a ship go without getting their loot involved an Oman-owned fishing trawler.

The luxury cruise ship, Oceania Nautica, escapes a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden Sunday. The vessel with 690 passengers and 386 crew onboard is transiting the Maritime Safety Protection Area, which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces. One of two skiffs closes to within about 300 yards of the cruise ship and fires eight rifle shots in the direction of the vessel. However, the Oceania Nautica is able to outrun the pirates.

Somali pirates supposedly reach a ransom agreement with the owners of the MV Faina, which is the Ukrainian-registered ship carrying Soviet-era tanks, rocket launchers and other munitions that was bound for Kenya when it was hijacked at the end of September.

There is no word on the final amount of money agreed to, but it was widely reported the pirates had cut their price from $35 million to $20 million. A method of delivering the money to the pirates must still be settled. Once the pirates get their loot they say they will release the ship, its cargo and its crew.

Arab nations bordering the Red Sea are finally discussing measures to thwart rampant maritime piracy in the region. While the threat posed by pirates on commercial shipping is the main reason for this cooperation, another vital motivating factor is the prevalence of foreign warships in the region and the threat the Arab countries feel this poses to their national security.

The chemical tanker Biscaglia is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. The pirates are successful in capturing the ship despite the presence of three private unarmed security guards onboard.

The guards are employed by London-based Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Solutions (APMSS), which is a company that uses non-lethal technology. APMSS confirms that the three guards were rescued from the water by coalition military forces.

It comes to light that the "pirate mothership" the Indian Navy sunk on November 19 may have been a Thai fishing trawler that itself was under siege from pirates.

The owner of the Ekawat Nava 5 comes forward and claims it was this ship that was destroyed, and to make the matter more tragic 14 sailors are missing and one is confirmed dead.

Pirates demand a $2 million ransom for the return of the Yemeni cargo ship MV Amani. The vessel was seized about a week ago, but news of the incident is just surfacing now.

Somali's al-Shabab militia vows to retake the hijacked oil tanker Sirius Star. Apparently, the Islamic fighters say the reason for this is they believe the ship should not have been targeted because it belongs to a Muslim country, Saudi Arabia. The militia is an offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union that was pushed out of power in 2006 by the Somali transitional government backed by Ethiopia.

Pirates release the Greek chemical tanker MV Genius after a ransom is paid. The ship's owners decline to say how much the pirates received.

Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk updates its policy for vessels entering the Gulf of Aden. In a statement issued on November 20, the company says, "Vessels without adequate speed or freeboard will for the time being avoid the Gulf of Aden..."

The policy change does not affect all Maersk's ships. The company says it primarily applies to its tanker vessels, which will now be required to make the much longer journey around Africa's Cape of Good Hope instead of through the Suez Canal.

The Indian Navy's frigate, the Tabar, encounters a Somali pirate "mother vessel" operating the Gulf of Aden. The pirates threaten and then fire on the Indian warship. The crew of the Tabar returns fire and sinks the pirate ship. The pirates escape in two speedboats, one of which is later found abandoned.

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos goes in front of the UN Security Council to plead for more aggressive action against the rampant pirate activity off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. Mitropoulos asks for "States interested in the safety and environmentally sound function of shipping activities", which should be more or less everyone, to provide more resources, and take an active role in the fight. Additionally, he asks the Security Council to strengthen and clarify anti-piracy resolutions it has already passed, particularly in regard to rules of engagement for foreign navies operating in the region.

The Hong Kong-flagged, Iranian owned cargo ship Delight is seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. It is reported that the vessel is carrying wheat and has a crew of 25.

The Saudi Arabian oil super tanker Sirius Star is hijacked by maritime pirates. The type of ship and the location of the incident make this a first for pirates roaming off the east coast of Africa. The ship is seized about 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa, Kenya. Most piracy attacks in the area in the last 2 years have occurred further north along Somalia's east coast and around the Horn of Africa in the Gulf of Aden. Also, this is the first time an oil tanker has been hijacked in the region. The vessel is carrying a crew of 25 including nationals from Croatia, Great Britain, Philippines, Poland and Saudi Arabia. The ship is also transporting 2 million barrels of crude oil worth over $100 million

The Japanese chemical tanker Stolt Valor and her crew of 18 Indians, two Filipinos, a Russian and Bangladeshi are set free. The often quoted Andrew Mwangura, who is the director of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program, says the pirates received a $1.1 million ransom.

On the same day another Japanese vessel is hijacked. This time it is a 20,000-ton cargo ship named Chemstar Venus. The vessel is seized about 96 miles east of the Gulf of Aden.

A Chinese fishing vessel with 24 crewmembers is seized by pirates Thursday night off Kenya's northern coastline and is now being held near the Somalia port city of Kismanyu. Although maritime piracy is rampant off the coast of Somalia, the activity has been focused along the coast north of the capital Mogadishu and in the Gulf of Aden. An attack this far south is rare.

Pirates seize the Turkish chemical tanker Karagol in the Gulf of Aden. This time the attack occurs closer to Yemen (about 16 miles off the coast) than Somalia.

The chemical tanker M/T Stolt Strength and its crew of 23 Filipinos are seized. The vessel is flagged in the Philippines, managed by Manila's Victoria Ship Management, and on a long-term charter to Stolt-Nielsen.

The European Union is sending a joint naval force called Eunavor to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden. The seven-ship fleet will conduct Operation Atalanta starting in December 2008. The UK will lead Eunavor with participation from France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain. Other EU and non-EU nations may participate.

The MV CEC Future, owned by Danish company Clipper Group, is seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel has a crew of 13 - including 11 Russians, 1 Georgian and 1 Estonian.

Rampant maritime piracy in the region finally begins to force companies to take the drastic step to reroute vessels instead of risk having them and their crews hijacked. One company so far openly admits it is now sending all ships around Africa's Cape of Good Hope instead of through the Suez Canal and thus the waters off Somalia. That company is the towage and salvage contractor SVITZER.

The Egyptian foreign ministry calls for an emergency meeting of Arab nations that lie on the Red Sea. The subject of the summit will be maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia. Countries invited include Yemen, Eritrea and Jordan.

The Turkish vessel MV Yasa Neslihan is hijacked. The ship was passing through the Gulf of Aden with a cargo of iron ore and crew of 20 Turks when pirates seized it.

At least five maritime hijackings are thwarted in the Gulf of Aden today. The U.S. Navy gives credit to the masters and crews of the commercial shipping vessels that came under attack. Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces has been quoted saying, "The pro-active measures taken yesterday by merchant vessels are exactly what we have been recommending."

NATO launches its operation to protect UN World Food Program (WFP) shipments around the Horn of Africa from pirates. As part of what is dubbed Operation "Allied Provider" the Greek frigate HS Themistokles is currently escorting a WFP-chartered vessel en route from a port in Southern Africa to Somalia. Two other NATO vessels in the Task Force are the Italian destroyer ITS Durand de la Penne and the British frigate HMS Cumberland.

The French navy intercepts two vessels off Somalia and capturs nine suspected pirates. The detainees are turned over to the regional authorities in northern Somalia.

Troops from the autonomous Puntland region of the country retake a hijacked Indian dhow transporting sugar destined for Somali businesses. The troops free the 13 crewmembers and capture four pirates. It seems likely that this operation was undertaken only because the vessel is transporting goods heading for Somali businesses.

Seven NATO warships arrive off the coast of Somalia to help combat piracy, and to specifically protect U.N. World Food Program ships that are transporting humanitarian relief supplies to Somalia.

The Thai-owned cargo ship MV Thor Star is released by pirates. They have been holding it for ransom since August 12. It is reported that the ship's owner, Thoresen Thai Agencies Plc, paid a ransom for their vessel and its 28 crewmembers.

The Korean-flagged bulk carrier Bright Ruby and her crew of 8 from Korea and 14 from Myanmar are released by pirates. The ship was captured over a month ago. A ransom was paid by the vessel's owners.

The MV African Sanderling is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. It is a Panama-flagged, South Korea-owned, Japan-operated bulk carrier carrying a crew of 21 Filipinos.

The government of the autonomous Puntland region sends its military to retake the MV Awail. The first attempt on Sunday fails, but on the second try today, the retaking is successful. The MV Awail suffers minor damage, but all 11 crew are free and unharmed. Ten pirates are arrested.

Pirates holding the arms-laden MV Fainafail to follow through on their threat to blow-up the ship if their ransom demands are not met. The hijackers gave the Ukrainian owners until Monday night (10/13) to pay $20 million for the safe return of the ship and her crew. The money has not been paid, and according to the U.S. Navy the ship is still in one piece.

Troops from the autonomous Puntland region of Somalia attack the hijackers of the MV Awail. While the retaking of the ship is unsuccessful, two pirates are killed and the troops continue to chase the hijacked vessel.

Pirates threaten he Ukrainian owners of the hijacked ship MV Faina saying they have until the night of 10/13 to pay the $20 million ransom on their vessel or else it is going to be blown-up.

The MV Awail is hijacked in the waters between Oman and Somalia. The ship was sailing from Oman to Bosasso with a load of cement.

NATO says it plans to move a standing naval feet of seven ships to the Horn of Africa in order to protect UN food aid shipments trying to reach Somalia and other regional nations. NATO believes these vessels will be sufficient to deter maritime pirates. The NATO force will be in the region in about two weeks and will remain there until at least the end of this year.

The Japanese chemical tanker MT Irene and its crew of 25 are freed by their hijackers. It is reported that the vessel's owners paid the pirates a ransom of $1.6 million.

The Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon call for more international air and naval forces in the region to insure that United Nations' food aid gets through to more than 3 million people threatened with starvation in Somalia. The resolution also calls on all States with naval vessels and military aircraft operating off the Somali coast to use "the necessary means" against acts of piracy.

There are reports that an argument among the 50 or so hijackers of the MV Faina has resulted in a gunfight and the deaths of three pirates. However, the pirates claim they were shooting their guns in celebration of the Muslim feast of Eid.

The second of two Malaysian chemical tankers hijacked weeks ago is released. The owners of the MT Bunga Melati Dua - Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) - pay a $2 million ransom, just like they did for the release of the MT Melati Lima yesterday (9/28).

Somali Pirates initially insist on a $35 million ransom for the release of the Ukrainian arms-carrying ship MV Faina. However, after three days they lower their demands to $20 million.

By now the U.S. Navy has at least three warships, including the USS Howard, within sight of the Faina. They are primarily concerned with monitoring the situation to ensure that the munitions and military equipment onboard are not offloaded.

The MT Melati Lima, which is one of two Malaysian chemical tankers hijacked weeks ago is set free by pirates after the ship's owners pay a $2 million ransom.

The Japanese-owned MV Stella Maris is released by pirates after the vessel's owners reportedly paid a $2 million ransom. The ship and its crew of 21 were taken hostage on July 20.

The other vessel set free is an Egyptian ship hijacked about three weeks ago. It is not clear whether a ransom was paid or not.

A Greek chemical tanker is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel has a crew of 19.

The Ukrainian vessel MV Faina is hijacked. The cargo this time is not oil or chemicals or consumer goods, but instead it is a composed of military equipment including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns and some 30 Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

Ukrainian and Kenyan authorities claim the arms are headed for Kenya, however there is speculation the cargo is in fact headed to Sudan, in violation of a UN-mandated arms embargo.

The Russian Navy's missile frigate Neustrashimy leaves port and heads to the waters off Somalia to participate in anti-piracy efforts in the region. Russian officials say they plan to follow this deployment with others in the future.

The frigate's armaments include anti-ship missiles, ship-to-air missiles, a 100-mm gun, torpedoes and depth charges, and a Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

The United States Naval Ship (USNS) John Lenthall, which is a fleet replenishment oiler, is approached by two small vessels off the coast of Somalia. Not knowing the intent of the boats, a security detail onboard the USNS John Lenthall fires warning shots at them. The boats turn back and end their pursuit.

Spain sends a P-3 Orion surveillance plane, a Boeing 727, a Hercules helicopter and 90 military personnel to the region to monitor and deter maritime pirate activity. The initial mission is planned for three months and will focus on the Gulf of Aden.

Pirates hijack the Greek ship Centauri south of Mogadishu. The ship has a crew of 25. This is only one of a few incidents of piracy this far south in Somalia in the last several months, as most pirate activity has moved north and into the Gulf of Aden.

French commandos rescue the two French nationals who were kidnapped from their sailing yacht two weeks ago in the Gulf of Aden. One pirate is killed and six are captured.

A Hong Kong-registered chemical tanker is hijacked and its crew of 22 is taken hostage. There are reports the ship was seized while in the Maritime Security Patrol area, the safe corridor for shipping that was set up by coalition forces in the Gulf of Aden.

The German cargo ship the MV BBC Trinidad is released by its Somali hijackers. It is reported that a ransom of $1.1 million was paid to the pirates. This ransom is later confirmed.

Meanwhile the Japanese chemical tanker MT Irene is also set free and it is rumored that a sum of $1.5 million was paid to its hijackers.

There is an attempted hijacking of a Basque tuna trawler off the east coast. This is the first reported attack in this region since the Spring, as most of the pirate activity has moved north and into the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen. The trawler avoided the gunmen by speeding out to sea.

A South Korean cargo ship and its 21 crewmembers are seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden). South Korean news agency Yonhap reports there are 8 South Koreans on board.

A ransom demand is made for the Egyptian ship seized by pirates on September 5. The exact amount of the demand is not known.

Between Friday (9/5) and Sunday (9/7) the crews of at least three ships in the Gulf of Aden were able to take action to prevent their ships from being overcome by pirates. And another ship in the Yemen part of the Gulf was saved from pirates on Saturday.

The Yemen News Agency (SABA) reports on 9/7 that the Yemeni Coastguard has saved a Saudi trade ship from Somali pirates. There is no reference to when this incident occurred.

A minister from Somalia's autonomous Puntland region says an unidentified foreign warship captured 14 suspected pirates and destroyed their vessel. The warship is possibly American.

Pirates demand a ransom of $1 million for the return of two French nationals seized from their sailing yacht by pirates on September 3.

An Egyptian cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden and its crew of 25 are hijacked.

Pirates in the Gulf of Aden hijack a French sailboat with two French citizens on board. The assailants are reported to be sailing the Venezuela-registered Carre d'as towards Eyl.

The Bunga Melati 5 is hijacked off the northern coast of Somalia. Pirates demand $8.2 million in ransom for this Malaysian chemical tanker with its crew of 41, as well as another Malaysian chemical tanker and a Japanese cargo ship.

An Oman-owned fishing vessel hijacked in January 2008 is released. There are reports that while in captivity one crewmember died. It appears no ransom was paid to the pirates.

A Japanese general cargo ship is attacked in the Gulf of Aden. Shots are fired, but the ship is able to avoid being overtaken by the hijackers. No one is injured, and the ship suffers limited damage.

The multi-national naval coalition Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) establishes the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden. A force of Coalition Navy warships begins patrolling the area, and aircraft fly in the airspace above to deter maritime piracy.

The Malaysian tanker ship Bunga Melati Dua is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden and sailed towards the coast of Somalia. The vessel has 39 crewmembers on board.

The IMB posts photographs on its website of two suspected pirate "mother vessels" roaming the Gulf of Aden. The ships are described as long, white, Russian-made stern trawlers with names BURUM OCEAN or ARENA or ATHENA. The IMB says, one of the trawlers is believed to be operating at approximately 60 NM NE of Bossasso, Somalia.

A Thai-owned general cargo ship is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. At the time of this attack no other information is available.

The German couple kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Somalia six weeks ago has been released. It is reported that a $1 million ransom was paid to the pirates. There has been some inaccurate information in the reporting of this incident, including news that the couple had a young child along with them. This was not the case.

Pirates in speedboats attempt to overtake a bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden. The good news is the pirates were unsuccessful, the crew is safe and the ship is undamaged. However, this could have turned out differently, even after the pirates fled, and that's because an unexploded grenade was found on the bridge wing of the cargo ship.

The International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre issues a warning to all ships transiting the Gulf of Aden that "intelligence sources revealed that there are now two suspicious trawlers in the Gulf of Aden believed to be pirate mother vessels looking to attack ships with the intent to hijack."

The Canadian Navy comes forward to anwswer the UN World Food Program's (WFP) call for an escort for its humanitarian aid shipments to Somalia. The WFP issued the call in July after the last Dutch-escorted ship arrived in Mogadishu.

The defense ministers for Spain and France call for the international community to take action against the ongoing maritime piracy problem off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

The Japanese owned, Panama-flagged MV Stella Maris is seized by pirates near the port of Calula in the autonomous Puntland region. The ship is carrying lead and zinc, and reported to have a crew of 21.

The MV Lehmann Timber, is released after a ransom of about $750,000 is paid by the vessel's owners. Pirates left the ship with the crew safe, but in need of food and water.

The Dutch cargo ship MV Amyia Scan and its crew are free today after being held by Somali pirates for a month. There is no information about how the crew and ship were freed, but the crew is in charge again and the ship is making its way towards Suez. There is also no information about whether or not the demanded ransom was paid by the vessel's owners Reider Shipping.

Pirates attacked a yacht early this morning in the Gulf of Aden. Four people were taken hostage, including three European tourists of unknown nationality, and the captain of the vessel. The pirates abandoned the yacht and took the hostages to shore in the breakaway republic of Somaliland.

It comes to light that the raid by France's elite GIGN commandos to retake the French luxury yacht Le Ponnet was far from perfect, and perhaps the troops were lucky to have survived because two of the frigates carrying the troops suffered engine failure. Their launch sunk. And the Atlantic 2 jet giving chase over Somali territory lost an engine and had to make an emergency landing in Yemen.

The Somali interim government hires the French private security firm Secopex to help combat piracy. This lucrative contract is worth between $75-$150 million annually for the next three years.

The United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) puts a call out to the world's naval powers asking for additional security assistance for cargo ships carrying food aid to Somalia's starving citizens.

These shipments require military protection from pirates. Last year, at least two ships transporting WFP-supplied assistance were hijacked.

The Somali mayor, who made allegations that soldiers from the autonomous Puntland region had joined forces with maritime pirates, has been fired by the regional government. Officially the mayor was removed from his post due to his prolonged absence from Eyl and the general situation in the town.

The mayor of Eyl, located in the autonomous Puntland region of the country, is saying that soldiers working with the regional government have joined forces with pirates. The motivation for the troops is said to be purely financial as it is very likely they have not been paid in five months.

Three foreign ships are currently held by hijackers. One of these, the MV Amiya Scan, is off the coast of Eyl and the pirates are said to be seeking a $1.1 million ransom from the ship's owners.

The United Nations' Security Council unanimously passes its Somalia maritime piracy resolution (Resolution 1816).

For a period of six months, nations cooperating with Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) now have permission to send their navies into Somalia's territorial waters to combat acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea using "all necessary means".

The UN's maritime agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has been pushing for just such a resolution from the Security Council for two years.

Pirates who hijacked the Dutch cargo vessel the Amiya Scan on May 26, threaten to kill the crew should a rescue attempt be made. The government of the autonomous region of Puntland has said it would send troops to retake the vessel by force.

The cargo ships the MV Lehmann and MV Arean, are hijacked in roughly the same Gulf of Aden location as the MV Amyia Scan was on May 26.

Reider Shipping which owns the pirated MV Amyia Scan is in contact with the hijackers, but is not forthcoming with what the ransom demands might be.

The cargo ship MV Amyia Scan is seized by gunmen in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel owned by the Dutch company Reider Shipping is carrying a crew of nine, including five Filipinos and four Russians. The captain of the ship is Russian.

The Jordanian-flagged, UAE-owned ship the MV Victoria has been released by pirates off the Somalia coast. It is not publicly known if a ransom was paid or not by the ship's owner, Marwan Shipping.

The hijacked MV Victoria, carrying food aid for Somalia, is located at Garacade, north of Mogadishu. Marwan Shipping, the UAE-based operator of the vessel, says it is in talks with the hijackers about their ransom demands.

It is now believed there are 21 crewmembers on board including 10 Indians, 2 Burmese, 2 Bangladeshis, 3 Kenyans and 2 Tanzanians, plus 2 others.

In its updated Travel Warning for Somalia, the U.S. State Department specifically urges Americans to use extreme caution when sailing near the coast of Somalia. Anyone who travels by sea in this region of the world should be aware by now of the problem that exists with piracy and hostage taking for ransom.

The cargo ship mv Victoria and her crew are the latest hijacking victims off Mogadishu. This Jordanian-flagged ship is carrying a cargo of sugar from India donated by Denmark, and bound for Somalia.

What is an unfortunate coincidence for the crew is the same ship was involved in an attempted hijacking exactly one year ago to the day. The crew of the Victoria is comprised of sailors from a multitude of nations including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia.

The trail of the ransom money paid to Somali pirates to release the crew of the Basque fishing trawler Playa de Bakio is uncovered. The money was paid by Pevasa, the owners of the vessel. And it was delivered to the pirates by agents of Spain's National Intelligence Center (CNI).

Colin Darch, the captain of the tug Svitzer Korsakov that was hijacked for ransom by Somali pirates in February is interviewed by CNN. Darch and his crew were held for 47 days and escaped unharmed after a ransom was paid by the vessel's owners. Darch describes the circumstances of the initial attack, and how his captors were "unsophisticated hoodlums" and boasted to make themselves look tougher than they actually were.

The seven suspected pirates captured aboard the UAE flagged cargo vessel al-Khaleej off the coast of Puntland are sentenced to life in prison, as are four others convicted of collaborating with the pirates.

The United States, Great Britain, France and Panama introduce a draft resolution to the UN Security Council aimed at combating maritime piracy for ransom off the eastern coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. The resolution would authorize nations to use "all necessary means" to fight piracy in Somalia's territorial waters in cooperation with the Somali interim government.

Pirates released the Playa de Bakio and its crew unharmed after holding them hostage for almost a week. Somali officials say a ransom of $1.2 million was paid by Spanish authorities, who do not publicly confirm the transaction occurred.

Troops from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland storm and retake the Al-Khaleej. Three pirates and a soldier are wounded, but the crew is safe. Seven pirates were arrested. The security minister for Puntland says the pirates will face the death penalty in accordance with the region's piracy laws.

The UAE-flagged cargo ship Al-Khaleej is boarded and seized by pirates en-route to Bosasso from Dubai.

The Japanese oil tanker Takayama is struck by a rocket and damaged in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen. The vessel is en route to a Saudi port and is not carrying any crude, but the attack did cause a fuel leak in the stern of the ship. The German Navy frigate, the Emden helps repel the attack.

The Spanish tuna fishing boat Playa de Bakio and its crew of 26 are seized by grenade launcher-wielding pirates. Spain quickly sends one of its naval ships to the scene of the crime. A man claiming to be one of the captors supposedly tells Spanish state radio that he and his fellow pirates are Somalis and want a ransom.

France charges the six pirates it captured after the release of the hostages aboard the Le Ponant with hostage-taking, hijacking and theft.

The International Maritime Bureau releases its Q1 2008 statistics on global maritime piracy, and the numbers are not encouraging for some regions, including the Gulf of Aden which tied for second place with five reported incidents in January, February and March. There was one attempted attack off Somalia's eastern coast.

France flies the captured pirates to Paris to conduct an investigation and determine whether or not to charge them with any crimes. The French are considering this a criminal matter and not one linked to terrorism.

At the time of the flight it is not clear whether France received permission from the Somali interim government to extradite the suspected criminals.

The owners of the Le Ponant pay pirates a $2 million ransom for the release of the yacht's 30 crewmembers. The crew is released unharmed and they are taken to a French base in Djibouti.

Once the pirates receive their ransom they attempt to flee on land. France's elite counterterrorism GIGN team launches an attack on these maritime criminals. Six pirates are captured and a portion of the ransom is recovered.

Pirates holding the Le Ponant and its crew try to come ashore and are fired on by a local militia.

France sends a team from its elite counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit, the National Gendarmes Intervention Group or GIGN, to Djibouti pending further orders.

The three-masted French luxury yacht Le Ponant with 30 crew members and no passengers is hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was returning from the Seychelles and headed for the Mediterranean. Pirates sail the ship to the town of Garacade in the semi-autonomous Puntland region.

Two UN World Food Program boats are stolen from the southern Somali port town of Merca. These are small vessels used for training. Police say they have arrested 5 suspects and found one of the boats crashed in Jazeera.

The Danish-owned tug, the Svitzer Korsakov was released by pirates near Eyl. The ship and its crew of British, Irish and Russian sailors have been held since early February. In a rare public acknowledgement of a ransom being paid, a local Somali official confirmed that a payment of $700,000 secured the release of the ship and its crew.

The pirates who seized the Danish-owned tug Svitzer Korsakov exchanged gunfire with Somali troops. The pirates were docked waiting for accomplices to resupply them. This was the second incident this week in which the pirates were fired upon.

The district commissioner for the town of Eyl says U.S. warships fired artillery shells at individuals trying to re-supply the pirates who are in control of the Svitzer Korsakov.

Pirates hijack the Danish-owned tugboat Svitzer Korsakov on Friday, February 1. The vessel and its six crewmen were taking the newly built tug from St. Petersburg, Russia to work at Sakhalin Island situated between North West Japan and Russia.

The crew is composed of the British Master, an Irish Chief Engineer, a Russian Chief Officer and three Russian crew members.

On Saturday, January 26 pirates seized an Oman-owned fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia's semiautonomous Puntland region.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) releases its annual survey of worldwide maritime piracy and this year the number of reported attacks rose by 10%. Those who follow this subject can guess that the increase is largely a result of activity off the coast of Somalia, and in Nigeria' Niger Delta region and near Lagos. The IMB also says that according to its data pirates and robbers were better armed and the attacks were more violent than in 2006.

According to the IMB, in Somalia in 2007 there was a total of 31 piracy incidents reported, a jump from 10 reported in 2006. The most kidnappings anywhere in the world were also recorded on ships in Somali waters in 2007.

On 12/17 the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme said an Italian-flagged container ship was attacked by suspected Somali pirates while the vessel was headed for the Port of Mombassa in Kenya. At that time it was reported that the fate of the ship and crew were not known. However, a day later the owners of the ship, the MV Jolly Turchese, say it was not attacked.

Only days after demanding a $1 million ransom for the safe return of the Golden Nori and its crew, pirates leave the ship in the middle of night. It is not known at this time whether or not the ransom demands were met.

The hijackers of the Golden Nori seized in October, have asked for a $1 million ransom for the safe return of the vessel and its 22 crew members. The Japanese tanker is carrying the highly explosive and toxic chemical benzene.

The Comoran-flagged MV Al Marjan and its crew of 22 are released by Somali pirates. The ship was hijacked on October 17. The USS Whidbey Island was on hand to assist the cargo vessel and its crew.

Pirates release more fishermen. This time a Taiwanese fishing boat hijacked nearly six months ago is set free. This is the third vessel let go in the last couple days. One crew member was killed in June when ransom demands were not met. A source familiar with this matter reportedly says a ransom was paid for the remaining 12 crewmen

Somali pirates release two South Korean fishing boats and their crews that have been held captive since May. The Mavuno 1 and Mavuno 2, and 24 sailors are escorted by the U.S. Navy to a port in Yemen. It is possible a ransom was paid for the release.

A North Korean-flagged cargo vessel is hijacked by pirates near the capital of Mogadishu. The crew of 22 is able to retake control of the ship.

The transitional government in Mogadishu allows the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke to chase the hijacked Golden Mori into Somalia's territorial water. The cargo vessel is carrying highly carcinogenic and flammable benzene.

Pirates hijack a Japanese-owned chemical tanker carrying benzene which is highly carcinogenic and flammable. The U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Porter intercepted the vessel near the archipelago of Socotra, fired upon it and sank 2 skiffs used in the attack before it was aware of the dangerous cargo being carried.

Pirates attempt to hijack the Comoran-flagged MV Jaikur II off the coast of the port of Brava. The cargo ship which had just offloaded aide from the UN's World Food Program was able to evade the pirates.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy offers to send a warship to protect United Nations' World Food Program aid shipments to Somalia and other east African countries.

According to the UN World Food Program, the French proposal envisions a two-month period during which naval vessels would escort ships carrying WFP food assistance as they traverse Somali waters. Ships would be escorted to the entrance of Mogadishu port.

A ransom is paid for the safe return of the Danica White nearly 12 weeks after it was seized by pirates. It is not known how much was paid, but the hijackers originally asked for $1.5 million for the return of the crew.

A ransom demand is made for the release of the Danish-flagged vessel the MV Danica White which was hijacked nearly two months earlier off the coast of Somalia. Pirates are said to be asking for $1.5 million in return for the release of the five Danish crew members.

Following the previous day's warning from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) that "the actions of pirates operating in the waters off Somalia threaten the sea lanes in the region and could endanger the fragile supply line for food assistance to Somalis . . .", the Secretary-General of the UN states his intention to raise the matter with members of the UN Security Council.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warn in a Joint Communique that "the actions of pirates operating in the waters off Somalia threaten the sea lanes in the region and could endanger the fragile supply line for food assistance to Somalis . . ." The two organizations once again call "for concerted and co-ordinated international action" to address this ongoing menace.

Pirates release the Indian cargo ship the Al Haqeeq. There are at least four other vessels still being held by pirates. It's not clear if any ransom is paid for the release of the ship, cargo and crew.

The director of the ICC International Maritime Bureau calls on international assistance from the world's naval forces to combat rampant piracy off the coast of Somalia.

A captured crew member of the Taiwan-flagged fishing vessel the Ching Fong Hwa 168 is reportedly killed because a ransom demand was not met.

The Danish vessel the MV Danica White is hijacked. The U.S. Navy fires and destroys several small boats used by the pirates, but fails to stop the ship before it reaches Somalia's territorial waters where it is not allowed to go.

The St. Kitts-flagged Mariam Queen is let go by pirates after a $100,00 ransom payment.

The government of China issus an urgent advisory to its shipping interests about Somali pirates.

The Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain, which facilitates the exchange of information between the United States Navy and the commercial shipping community in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, issues a warning to vessels off the Somali coast. In part it reads, "Due to a recent resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia, MARLO repeats its previous advisory, and urges ALL VESSELS to REMAIN AT LEAST 200 NM OFF the eastern coast of Somalia."

There is an attempted hijacking of a UN-chartered food aid ship. The vessel is able to avoid its attackers.

Pirates seize two South Korean fishing boats and take them to a village on the coast of Somalia. The boats have a combined crew of 24 men.

The International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Center warns vessels to stay 200 nautical miles away from the Somali coast.

The International Maritime Bureau releases its statistics on piracy for the first quarter of 2007, and while worldwide rates are down the IMB is still concerned about Nigeria and Somalia.

The MV Nimatullah and the UN-chartered MV Rosen are released, but it is not known whether a ransom has been paid in either hijacking.

The first ransom demands for the return of the MV Nimatullah, its crew and cargo are made. The hijackers want $20,000.

With the MV Nimatullah and now the MV Nishan both held by pirates, ship operators in the United Arab Emirates tell their vessels in the area to head for neutral waters and to return to their ports of origin.

The UAE-registered MV Nimatullah is captured by pirates with 800 tons of cargo and 14 Indian crew members aboard.

The United Nations World Food Program is having difficulty finding ships to hire for aid deliveries to Somalia and other nearby countries. It has over 2,400 metric tons of food supplies waiting on a dock in Tanzania ready for delivery. Ship owners fear their vessels will be seized by pirates and their crews held for ransom.

Four suspected pirates involved in MV Rozen hijacking are arrested in the port city of Bargal.

The United Nations World Food Program chartered ship, the MV Rozen, is hijacked off the northeast coast of the country.

The ICC International Maritime Bureau announces that worldwide the number of reported sea piracy attacks decreased in 2006. However some areas see an increase including Nigeria and Somalia.

Islamic fighters with speed boats forcibly free the hostages of the MV Veesham I and capture the pirates. The vessel had been held for ransom for a week.

Priates seize the UAE-flagged MV Veesham I and demand a $150,000 ransom for the release of 14 crew members.