The Relationship between Piracy and Kidnapping for Ransom

The world's attention on maritime piracy is largely focussed on the root causes, modus operandi, extent and prevention. However, the complexity of the relationship between piracy and kidnapping for ransom are largely overlooked. In this article it is argued that modern day pirates are sophisticated, well-resourced transnational criminal syndicates that have tapped into the huge economical potential of organised crime at sea. Due to the involvement of insurance companies the negotiation process for the release of vessels and crew has become little more than a business transaction between the owners of the hijacked vessel and the pirates. In the case of uninsured smaller vessels, such as yachts and fishing vessels, non-existing infrastructures to assist with the negotiation process and governmental policy not to negotiate with pirates has resulted in hostages of piracy being alienated and isolated. The ignorance of governments and the economic driven approach of stakeholders in the maritime sector in general to the plight of hostages were one of the key issues acknowledged at the 2011 International Conference on Piracy at Sea in Malmo, Sweden. A South African case study is used to illustrate the challenges faced by families during negotiation for the release of hostages from smaller vessels.