Somali pirates made off with more than $60m ransom money last year

Somali pirates managed to scoop more than $60 million in ransom payments from shipowners in 2009, according to a report from a regional anti-piracy watchdog. Last year 47 vessels and nearly 300 crewmembers were seized by pirates, the Seafarers' Assistance Programme report said.

In the first month of this year a further 12 ships have been hijacked. 

(Source: Sea Trade Asia)