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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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Somali Pirates Could Grinch Your Christmas

Shipping companies may eschew Suez Canal for longer routes, meaning delays

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(Newser) – Attacks by Somali pirates have major shippers considering changing routes that run through the Suez Canal, Reuters reports, a move would add weeks to the time it takes ships to get to Europe from Asia and the Middle East. “It will really hit home when consumers in the West find they haven't got their Nintendo gifts this Christmas,” a trade-group rep said.

Recent attacks have been “200 miles-plus off the coast,” in the Gulf of Aden, he said, putting access to the Canal in jeopardy. The longer route, around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, also would add to shipping costs. The oil industry is taking note—some owners “are making a decision not to put their tankers in that direction,” a spokesman said.

The crew of the hijacked merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck off the coast of Somalia Nov. 9, 2008.
The crew of the hijacked merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck off the coast of Somalia Nov. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Jason R. Zalasky)
Pirates have extended their range to 200 miles off the Somali coast, using larger ships as bases, thereby threatening shipping lanes leading through the Suez Canal.
Pirates have extended their range to 200 miles off the Somali coast, using larger ships as bases, thereby threatening shipping lanes leading through the Suez Canal.   (AP Photo)
Somali pirates in small boats are seen alongside the hijacked MV Faina.
Somali pirates in small boats are seen alongside the hijacked MV Faina.   (AP Photo)
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If there isn't a let-up and active intervention by navies in the region, the impact on trade will come within weeks or month. - Sam Dawson, International Transport Workers' Federation, on the growing reach of Somali pirates

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Shannonals
Nov 15, 08 6:33 PM CST
I don't see why this is a issue, why not simply blow all of their ships out of the water Reply
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