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| Ship owners urge pirate blockade | Ship owners urge pirate blockade |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A group of tanker owners has proposed a naval blockade off the coast of Somalia as a way of stopping pirate attacks. | A group of tanker owners has proposed a naval blockade off the coast of Somalia as a way of stopping pirate attacks. |
| Peter Swift, head of the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko), said the UN could co-ordinate naval patrols in the area. | Peter Swift, head of the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko), said the UN could co-ordinate naval patrols in the area. |
| He acknowledged that a blockade would not be easy. | He acknowledged that a blockade would not be easy. |
| Pirates operating from Somalia have attacked dozens of ships this year, and earlier this month seized a tanker carrying $100m (£67m) worth of oil. | Pirates operating from Somalia have attacked dozens of ships this year, and earlier this month seized a tanker carrying $100m (£67m) worth of oil. |
| Pirates holding the ship, the Sirius Star, are thought to be trying to obtain a multi-million dollar ransom. | Pirates holding the ship, the Sirius Star, are thought to be trying to obtain a multi-million dollar ransom. |
| Mr Swift said many tanker owners are considering a detour around South Africa to avoid pirates, and that this would raise costs by 30%. | Mr Swift said many tanker owners are considering a detour around South Africa to avoid pirates, and that this would raise costs by 30%. |
| He said continuing attacks would have a major impact on world trade, but that Intertanko opposed arming merchant ships to defend against pirates. | He said continuing attacks would have a major impact on world trade, but that Intertanko opposed arming merchant ships to defend against pirates. |
| "The other option is perhaps putting a blockade around Somalia and introducing the idea of intercepting vessels leaving Somalia rather than to try to protect the whole of the Gulf of Aden," he said. | "The other option is perhaps putting a blockade around Somalia and introducing the idea of intercepting vessels leaving Somalia rather than to try to protect the whole of the Gulf of Aden," he said. |
| A blockade along Somalia's coastline "is not easy but some intervention there may be effective," he said. | A blockade along Somalia's coastline "is not easy but some intervention there may be effective," he said. |
| Intertanko's members own 2,900 tankers, or 75% of the world fleet. | Intertanko's members own 2,900 tankers, or 75% of the world fleet. |
| Warships from at least nine countries have been operating in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden trying to prevent pirate attacks. | |
| But navies and analysts say it is almost impossible to patrol such a large area. | |
| On Monday, a government official in Iran was quoted as saying his country would consider using force against pirates following last week's hijacking of an Iranian-chartered ship. | |
| Deputy Transport Minister Ali Taheri said Iran was negotiating with the pirates who had taken the ship, which was carrying 36,000 tonnes of wheat. | |
| Kenya reported on Friday that Somali pirates had been paid more than $150m (£101m) in ransoms in the past 12 months. | Kenya reported on Friday that Somali pirates had been paid more than $150m (£101m) in ransoms in the past 12 months. |