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Gulf of Aden: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 12°32′45″N 48°08′44″E / 12.54583°N 48.14556°E / 12.54583; 48.14556
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→Piracy in Somalia and the Gulf: Removed "most recent" since there has been another pirate attack, which is mentioned the next alinea.
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On 4 April 2008, pirates commandeered a [[France|French]] luxury [[yacht]] in the Gulf of Aden with 34 crew members off the coast of Somalia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnBAN457575.html|title=Pirates storm French yacht off Somalia|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-04-04|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref>
On 4 April 2008, pirates commandeered a [[France|French]] luxury [[yacht]] in the Gulf of Aden with 34 crew members off the coast of Somalia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnBAN457575.html|title=Pirates storm French yacht off Somalia|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-04-04|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref>


On 15 September 2008, a [[Hong Kong]] chemical tanker was seized by pirates in the gulf off Somalia. The crew of 22 consisted of 18 Indians, two Filipinos, one Bangladeshi and one Russian. As of 17 September 2008, a spokesman for the owner and management of the ship said that negotiations for the release of the ship and crew had yet to begin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=71773&sid=20614301&con_type=1&d_str=20080917&fc=4|title=Pirates seize HK tanker|publisher=The Standard|date=2008-09-17|accessdate=2008-09-17}}</ref>
On 15 September 2008, a [[Japanese]] chemical tanker Stolt Valor was seized by pirates in the gulf off Somalia. The crew of 22 consisted of 18 Indians, two Filipinos, one Bangladeshi and one Russian. This vessel was later released on 16 November 2008 after 62 days in captivity. The vessel was allegedly released after a ransom of $ 2.5 Million was paid to the pirates.


On 4 October 2008, was of an arms ship. Four attempts were foiled by outmaneuvering. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/04/somalia.priates.attacks.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText |title= Four pirate attacks off Somalia in 24 hours, U.S. says |date= 2008-10-04 |accessdate= 2008-11-13 |publisher= [[CNN]]}}</ref>
On 4 October 2008, was of an arms ship. Four attempts were foiled by outmaneuvering. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/04/somalia.priates.attacks.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText |title= Four pirate attacks off Somalia in 24 hours, U.S. says |date= 2008-10-04 |accessdate= 2008-11-13 |publisher= [[CNN]]}}</ref>


On 11 November 2008 [[Jag Arnav]] a 38,265-tonne bulk carrier, owned by [[Mumbai]]-based Great Eastern Shipping Company was attacked by pirates. The ship sent SOS call which was picked up by an [[Indian Navy]] warship patrolling the region. An armed helicopter with marine commandos was launched from the naval warship [[INS Tabar (F44)|INS Tabar]] to intervene and prevent the pirates from boarding and hijacking the merchant vessel. Reaching there shortly, the helicopter attacked the pirates by firing on them, forcing them to abort the hijack attempt and escape from there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200811111532.htm |title=Pirates attack Indian ship, Navy intervenes |date=2008-11-11 |accessdate=2008-11-13 |publisher= [[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
On 11 November 2008 [[Jag Arnav]] a 38,265-tonne bulk carrier, owned by [[Mumbai]]-based Great Eastern Shipping Company was attacked by pirates. The ship sent SOS call which was picked up by an [[Indian Navy]] warship INS Tabar, patrolling the region. An armed helicopter with marine commandos was launched from the naval warship [[INS Tabar (F44)|INS Tabar]] to intervene and prevent the pirates from boarding and hijacking the merchant vessel. Reaching there shortly, the helicopter attacked the pirates by firing on them, forcing them to abort the hijack attempt and escape from there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200811111532.htm |title=Pirates attack Indian ship, Navy intervenes |date=2008-11-11 |accessdate=2008-11-13 |publisher= [[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


Moreover, a number of [[terrorism|terrorist]] attacks have been carried out in the Gulf, including the 2000 attack on the American [[guided missile destroyer]] [[USS Cole bombing|the USS ''Cole'']].
Moreover, a number of [[terrorism|terrorist]] attacks have been carried out in the Gulf, including the 2000 attack on the American [[guided missile destroyer]] [[USS Cole bombing|the USS ''Cole'']].

Revision as of 11:14, 19 November 2008

Gulf of Aden

The Gulf of Aden (Template:Lang-ar; transliterated: Khalyj 'Adan Somali: Khaleejka Cadan) is located in the Arabian Sea between Yemen on the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.

Commerce and trade in the Gulf

The Gulf of Aden is a vital waterway for shipping, especially for Persian Gulf oil, making it an integral waterway in the world economy.[1] Approximately 11 percent of the world's seaborne petroleum passes through the Gulf of Aden on its way to the Suez Canal or to regional refineries.[2] The main ports along the Gulf are Aden in Yemen, and Zeila, Berbera, and Bosaso in Somalia.

In earlier history, the city of Crater, located just east of the modern city of Aden, was an important port in regional trade. Crater was the principal harbor of the pre-Islamic kingdom of Awsan, and after its annexation by the kingdom of Saba at the end of the 5th century, the port of Crater played a significant role in connecting Africa with Arabia.

Hydrography of the Gulf

The temperature of the Gulf of Aden varies between 15 °C (59 °F) and 28 °C (82 °F), depending on the season and the appearance of monsoons. The salinity of the Gulf at 10 metres (33 ft) depth varies from 35.3 ‰ along the eastern Somali coast to as high as 37.3 ‰ in the Gulf's center,[3] while the oxygen content in the Gulf of Aden at the same depth is typically between 4.0 and 5.0 mL/L.[4]

Ecology of the Gulf

A geologically young body of water, the Gulf of Aden has a unique biodiversity that contains many varieties of fish, coral, seabirds, and invertebrates. This rich ecological diversity has benefited from a relative lack of pollution during the history of human habitation around the Gulf, but environmental groups fear that the lack of a coordinated effort to control pollution may jeopardize the Gulf's ecosphere.[5]

Piracy in Somalia and the Gulf

1860 map of Gulf of Aden

The Gulf of Aden is an area known for acts of piracy,[6] making its waters dangerous for water transport. The International Maritime Bureau reported over two dozen actual and attempted attacks in 2007 in the Gulf off of the coast of Somalia.[7]

On 4 April 2008, pirates commandeered a French luxury yacht in the Gulf of Aden with 34 crew members off the coast of Somalia.[8]

On 15 September 2008, a Japanese chemical tanker Stolt Valor was seized by pirates in the gulf off Somalia. The crew of 22 consisted of 18 Indians, two Filipinos, one Bangladeshi and one Russian. This vessel was later released on 16 November 2008 after 62 days in captivity. The vessel was allegedly released after a ransom of $ 2.5 Million was paid to the pirates.

On 4 October 2008, was of an arms ship. Four attempts were foiled by outmaneuvering. [9]

On 11 November 2008 Jag Arnav a 38,265-tonne bulk carrier, owned by Mumbai-based Great Eastern Shipping Company was attacked by pirates. The ship sent SOS call which was picked up by an Indian Navy warship INS Tabar, patrolling the region. An armed helicopter with marine commandos was launched from the naval warship INS Tabar to intervene and prevent the pirates from boarding and hijacking the merchant vessel. Reaching there shortly, the helicopter attacked the pirates by firing on them, forcing them to abort the hijack attempt and escape from there.[10]

Moreover, a number of terrorist attacks have been carried out in the Gulf, including the 2000 attack on the American guided missile destroyer the USS Cole.

Notes

  1. ^ "Earth from Space: The Gulf of Aden – the gateway to Persian oil". European Space Agency. 2005-03-01. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  2. ^ "Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden" (PDF). International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF). 2003. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  3. ^ "Hydrographic Survey Results". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  4. ^ "Hydrographic Survey Results". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  5. ^ "Red Sea & Gulf of Aden". United Nations Environment Programme. 2005. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  6. ^ "US Coalition Presence in Gulf Helps Cut Piracy: Commander". Arab News. 2005-07-03. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  7. ^ "Heavily armed pirates spark regional shipping alert". ArabianBusiness.com. 2007-12-24. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  8. ^ "Pirates storm French yacht off Somalia". Reuters. 2008-04-04. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  9. ^ "Four pirate attacks off Somalia in 24 hours, U.S. says". CNN. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  10. ^ "Pirates attack Indian ship, Navy intervenes". The Hindu. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2008-11-13.

12°32′45″N 48°08′44″E / 12.54583°N 48.14556°E / 12.54583; 48.14556

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