Companies turn to private navies to combat pirates of the Malacca Strait
Waterway is now so dangerous, Lloyd’s classifies it as a warzone, writes Nick Meo in Singapore. Running the gauntlet of the pirate-infested Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Indonesia has long been among the riskiest voyages in the world for a ship’s master. Gangs in fast launches armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, some backed by sophisticated criminal syndicates, have murdered mariners, kidnapped crew, and even hijacked ships and steered them to ports run by corrupt officials where they have their cargoes unloaded. Afterwards, the vessels are repainted, ready for sale on a shady international market. Full Story