Downward pattern
Looking at the IMB figures more closely, it appears that the downward pattern in terms of frequency and capability began in mid 2012. In May last year, Smyrni was hijacked in the Indian Ocean and was finally released after a ransom was paid in March this year. This was the last ship of commercial size and value to be hijacked by the infamous
Somali pirates. More vessels have been hijacked since then, however they were small fishing boats and the last incident occurred in June of this year. There have of course been other attacks on boats in the Somali basin and Indian ocean, however it has not been made clear it these were isolated incidents or a renewed rise in piracy.