Typically, pirates will try to hijack the vessels under attack and take the crews hostage or steal the cargo. More than 190 seafarers were subjected to violent pirate attacks around the world in 2017. In 2011, the hijacking of the Irene SL, a Greek-owned crude oil tanker, led to a ransom payment of around 13.5 million U.S. dollars. However, ransom payments are not the only costs caused by piracy. In 2011, increased speed, military operations, and security guards on ships were ranked as the most costly factors associated with pirate attacks in Somali waters. As a result, maritime pirates have left the area around the coast of Somalia and moved on.
Although Piracy attacks have decreased steadily over the previous five years, Indonesia was still subjected to some 43 pirate attacks in 2017, accounting for nearly a quarter of pirate attacks worldwide. The area off Pulau Bintan was the most dangerous port for Indonesian vessels with nine reported incidents of piracy in 2017.
