The seizure of an Aramco oil tanker, the Sirius Star, brings home to many people the extent of both the scourge and the dangers it poses for the Kingdom’s well-being if not confronted. This part of the world has always lived on trade, maritime trade in particular. Oil has not changed that. It has magnified it. These pirates, unless stopped, will continue their murderous, pillaging ways. This will not be the only tanker seized. There will be others. With cargoes around two million barrels, the pickings are just too tempting.

The seizure seven weeks ago of the MV Faina, a Ukrainian ship carrying a cargo of Russians tanks, galvanized some nations into a degree of action. There is now an increased NATO naval presence in the region as well as ships from India, Malaysia and Russia — and they have been cooperating. Recently the Russian and British navies prevented a Danish ship being captured. But this is not enough. The pirates are becoming daily bolder and more sophisticated in their operations — and have expanded into an ever wider area. There have been 92 attacks in the Arabian Sea and off the coast of East Africa this year, 36 of them successful. Fourteen vessels are currently held, including the MV Faina. The Sirius Star shows that, despite the naval presence, the problem is worsening. It is not only the biggest vessel to be seized but it was taken well outside what was thought to be the pirates’ zone of activity.

The root problem, as we all know, is the implosion of Somalia. While it remains a failed state, it provides a safe haven for the pirates. But the world cannot wait until law and order is re-established in Somalia, which is the de-facto international policy at the moment. It could be years before that happens. In the meantime, the attacks will continue and become ever more menacing. It is no exaggeration to say that the Kingdom’s very economy is at stake here — as well as that of other Gulf states.

Some years ago, piracy on the high seas was only ended when the major maritime powers decided no longer to license pirates as freelance buccaneers against each other but rather to pursue them and destroy them in their lairs. The policy worked and it seems to be what is needed today. The policy of trying to contain the threat by increasing security on board ships is all very well, but it is ultimately futile — and expensive. It is not going to stop the pirates. They will find plenty of victims. The navy patrols cannot be everywhere. As for handing captured pirates to what limited authorities there are in Somalia’s breakaway region of Puntland — which is what the French Navy did with nine last month — it is insane. The pirates are closely linked to the warlords of Puntland who take their cut of the ransoms paid. Negotiating with them and paying the ransom is also madness. It positively encourages them to strike again. This is now a multimillion dollar business. Hitting the pirates in their lairs would mean naval action against Somali ports such as Eyl and the destruction of all potential pirate vessels there. That could only be done under UN authority. Seven weeks ago we suggested the creation of a UN naval force, a maritime equivalent of the UN peacekeeping forces in order to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Whether it is that or providing the authority to move against the pirates, the UN has to address the issue — and immediately. It is already past time to deal with the problem before things grow even worse.