The scourge of modern-day piracy has undermined international shipping and added millions to ship owners as insurance premiums skyrocket. Off Somalia, the act of piracy has become commonplace, almost a rite of passage for young men who believe that the only way to succeed is by taking helpless mariners hostage, terrorising them until such a time large sums of cash are extorted.
Over the past decade, international efforts have tried to combat this scourge of the seas, but incidents of ships being taken still occur with a regularity that is frustrating. Increased patrols and greater vigilance has helped in lessening acts of piracy. But the perpetrators of these acts are often simply released, allowed to continue their crimes on the next poor merchant ship to come across their bows.
The UAE, however, has taken a hard line in dealing with these criminals. A special forces team on Saturday freed a UAE-flagged carrier from the clutches of pirates, detaining the pirates and bringing them to Jebel Ali to face justice.
Other nations should follow that action of the UAE special forces. There is but one way to deal with pirates as the UAE has shown — armed force will keep the high seas safe.
