Piracy attacks in 2000

Indonesia 119 Malacca Strait 75 Bangladesh 55 India 35 Ecuador 14

Source IMB

The Indonesian navy and air force tracked the ship using data provided by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which bases its Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

IMB director Pottengal Mukundan, who is attending the anti-piracy conference, said the arrests should send a warning that Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore "will not be a safe haven for pirates".

Captain held hostage

But the captain of another ship, the Indonesian-registered Tirta Niaga, is still being held for ransom in Aceh in Indonesia.

The crew of the Tirta Niaga were overpowered on Monday but sailed to Malaysia after being abandoned by the pirates on Tuesday.

The pirates had taken the captain, Simon Perera, with them. The ship's owners are negotiating for his release and are reportedly demanding $100,000 for his release.

Indonesian waters are the most dangerous

A record number of cases of piracy were reported last year - 469 attacks. Many were in seas around Indonesia and Malaysia - an area already notorious for piracy.

Figures for the first three months of 2001 indicate this year's total will be even higher.

Indonesia blamed

Mr Mukundan on Wednesday blamed a breakdown of law and order in Indonesia for the rise in attacks.

"Security along the coast has to be tightened... I want them to take some action," he said.

However, he also recognised that Indonesia was suffering at the moment from "great resource problems".

Delegates concluded the anti-piracy conference by calling for a coordinated approach to the problem and the possibility of intensifying joint patrols.