[241212.EN.SEA] NATO: India Ocean Pirates Not Expected To Declare Christmas Truce

NATO is calling on the merchant shipping community not to lower their guard over Christmas as the pirates operating in the Indian Ocean and surrounding waters will not be taking a holiday.

This warning comes after pirates attacked on December 16 the Danish 105,002-dwt tanker Torm Kristina, which NATO said proves that they are still on the lookout for targets.

Vice Admiral Christian Canova, deputy commander at NATO's maritime headquarters in Northwood said: "Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean is at its lowest point since 2008 and this is good news, however we cannot be complacent," he said in a statement.

"The weekend's attack on the Torm Kristina shows that the pirates are active and are able to operate at great distances from the Somali coast. NATO and her maritime partners are still patrolling and disrupting pirate activity, however, the merchant community have their role to play and should continue to ensure that vessels implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) and are prepared to repel pirate attacks."

Source : HKSG, 24.12.12.