Maritime Piracy Resurfaces Amidst Diversion of Ships From Red Sea To Cape of Good Hope Route

According to a senior Italian Navy official, Piracy has resurfaced as most ships are being diverted from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the Cape of Good Hope Route due to Houthi attacks on Red Sea Shipping.

Vice Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian fleet spoke to the media aboard the Italian Aircraft Carrier ITS Cavour at Mormugao Port, Goa, stating that there was a reduction in pirate attacks on ships sailing in the Indian Ocean till 2 years ago.

The Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group consists of ITS Cavour and frigate ITS Alpino docked at Mormugao Port’s Berth 9 for a port call as the units are deployed in the Indo-Pacific.

He added that there are other regions in the world known for piracy like Malacca Strait or the Gulf of Guinea, but the situation is different in the Somali Basin. Due to a diversion of shipping traffic from the Red Sea, to the Cape of Good Hope route, piracy has re-emerged in the region.

Vice Admiral Carolis mentioned that the focus of the Italian Navy is the Mediterranean since there are about 40 naval ships including submarines operating in the region.

Also, all commerce that goes via the Red Sea gets into the Mediterranean so they are committed to undertaking maritime security operations to ensure a safe passage not just for Italian vessels but for all ships connected to European Union Nations, he added.

He also appreciated the Indian Navy and said it is ‘doing an excellent job’ in tackling piracy.

Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, the Italian Navy Carrier Strike Group Commander stated that the Indian and Italian Navies will undertake bilateral maritime exercises on October 5th and 6th, 2024, off the western coast of India.

The 2-day event will focus on air defence, maritime manoeuvres and joint operations between the air wings of both navies.

Ciappina added that they were calling on a few subject matter experts from the Indian Navy aboard the Cavour. Both navies were engaged in information exchange and planned several activities.

It will also involve 2 carriers and integration of their air wings, a few exercises in air defence and sea manoeuvres. The officials of both the navies will also meet and discuss each other’s ways of flight and naval operations.

References: PTI News, Indian Express

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