Sea piracy worldwide dropped to its lowest level in six years in 2013 due to the decline in Somali pirate attacks off the east coast of Africa, a global anti-piracy watch group said on Wednesday.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which has its operating centre in Kuala Lumpur, said there were 264 pirate attacks in 2013, down from 297 attacks in 2012.

“A total of 12 vessels were hijacked, 202 were boarded, 22 were fired upon and a further 28 reported attempted attacks,” the watch group said in its annual report.

The report said attacks perpetrated by Somali pirates dropped to 15 incidents from 75 in 2012.

Pottengal Mukundan, director of IMB, attributed the decline in Somali pirate attacks to intensified patrols by international navies, the use of private armed security teams by cargo vessels passing through the area, and the stabilizing influence of Somalia’s central government.

“It is imperative to continue combined international efforts to tackle Somali piracy,” Mukundan warned. “Any complacency at this stage could re-kindle pirate activity.” The 15 attacks attributed to Somali pirates represented the lowest figure since 2006, when 10 attacks were recorded, the report said.

“Nigerian pirates were particularly violent, killing one crew member, and kidnapping 36 people to hold onshore for ransom,” it added.

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