Somali pirates carrying out preparations to a skiff boat used to attack ships. A spate of hijackings in the High Risk Area (HRA) off the Somali coast has raised alarm after a period of calm.
Growth industry —
Somali pirates carrying out preparations to a skiff boat used to attack ships. A spate of hijackings in the High Risk Area (HRA) off the Somali coast has raised alarm after a period of calm.
MOHAMED DAHIR/AFP/Getty Images
Experts say the threat from pirates has never gone away, but decreased vigilance has created new opportunities for pirates to attack ships.
Biding their time —
Experts say the threat from pirates has never gone away, but decreased vigilance has created new opportunities for pirates to attack ships.
MOHAMED DAHIR/AFP/Getty Images
An Iranian vessel was reported hijacked Tuesday May 23, the latest in a series including the Cormoros-flagged Aris-13 tanker, seized on March 13.
Hit list —
An Iranian vessel was reported hijacked Tuesday May 23, the latest in a series including the Cormoros-flagged Aris-13 tanker, seized on March 13.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Coast guard officers on patrol in Ivorian waters. A recent report shows piracy has spread rapidly in West Africa.
Evolving threat —
Coast guard officers on patrol in Ivorian waters. A recent report shows piracy has spread rapidly in West Africa.
SIA KAMBOU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hostage of Somali pirates react as they arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on October 23, 2016.<br /><br />Kidnap and ransom attacks have increased in the past year, while cargo seizures have declined.
New targets —
Hostage of Somali pirates react as they arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on October 23, 2016.

Kidnap and ransom attacks have increased in the past year, while cargo seizures have declined.
STRINGER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dutch amphibious assault warship patrols the Somali coast. The ship is part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), which protects ships in the HRA.
Return fire —
Dutch amphibious assault warship patrols the Somali coast. The ship is part of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), which protects ships in the HRA.
SIMON MAINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Somali prisoners convicted of piracy, stand behind a gate of the prison in Garowe, Puntland state, in northeastern Somalia, on December 14, 2016.<br />However, security firms complain that pirates are receiving light sentences that do not deter them from repeat offenses.
Out of action? —
Somali prisoners convicted of piracy, stand behind a gate of the prison in Garowe, Puntland state, in northeastern Somalia, on December 14, 2016.
However, security firms complain that pirates are receiving light sentences that do not deter them from repeat offenses.
MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Poverty is a major cause of piracy in Somalia, which is currently enduring a devastating famine. More than 6 million people need food assistance in Somalia.
Desperation —
Poverty is a major cause of piracy in Somalia, which is currently enduring a devastating famine. More than 6 million people need food assistance in Somalia.
David McKenzie/CNN