2012 Piracy Prone Areas and Warnings

The International Maritime Bureau warns mariners to be extra cautious and to take necessary precautions when transiting the following areas:

Bangladesh	Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor at Chittagong
Indonesia	Pirates armed with guns, knives, or machetes normally attack vessels during the night. When spotted and alarm sounded, pirates usually abort the attack and move away.
Malacca straits	While the number of attacks are down, ships are advised to be on high alert while transiting straits.
Singapore straits	Pirates are attacking ships while underway or at anchor.
South China Sea	Pirates are targeting ships in the vicinity off Anambas, Natuna, Mangkai islands, Subi Besar, Merundung area.

Nigeria	Violent pirate attacks occur at anchorages and ports along the Lagos and Port Harcourt, vessels are being robbed and crews taken hostage
Benin	Pirates are violent and many tankers are being attacked and hijacked, especially in the area of Cotonou.
Gulf of Aden/Red Sea	Somali pirates continue to attack vessels on the northern Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden. Pirates are using automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) while attempting to board and hijack vessels. Once the attack is successful, the hijacked vessel and crew are taken to the Somali coast to wait for the ransom to be paid. Vessels are advised to take all precautions, radar systems are constantly on and crews should keep a lookout for small boats converging on their vessel
Somalia	Somali pirates are using mother vessels to attack ships on the northern, southern, and eastern coast of Somalia. Vessels are advised to stay at least 250 nautical miles away from the Somali coast