TheInternational Maritime Bureau (IMB) says at least six knowncases of coastal tankers being hijacked for their cargoes of diesel or gas oilhave been reported since April this year, sparking fears of a new trend inpirate attacks in the area.
“Upuntil then, the majority of attacks in the region were vessels boarded forpetty theft,” the Malaysia-based organisation said.
“Thelatest hijackings seem to follow a specific modus operandi, where armed piratesseize a small tanker and siphon off its cargo to large bunker barges or othersmall tankers in a ship-to-ship operation.
