THE Government of South African government is on red alert with "robust rules of engagement" against Somali pirates threatening the country's vital trade lanes in the western Indian Ocean.
"With six million tonnes of oil transported around South Africa's western coastline every month and SADC [Southern African Development Community] waters becoming an alternative route for companies wishing to avoid piracy around the Horn of Africa, our waters have become attractive to Somali pirates trying to avoid the clampdown of the maritime task forces around eastern Africa," said South African Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

"Our major trade artery along Africa's east coast is becoming increasingly vulnerable, with pirates moving south, especially with the recent discovery of oil and gas off the Tanzanian coastline. Successful shipping requires protection of sea lines of communication, and securing of sea ports," she said.

Speaking to a SADC meeting on piracy in Pretoria on piracy, London's International Freighting Weekly reported that Ms Sisulu said: "While pirates in other regions steal the cargo or vessels, Somali pirates demand ransoms, with an increase in attacks off the Horn of Africa being directly linked to continued insecurity and an absence of the rule of law in that war-torn country."