Southeast Asian Pirates

In Southeast Asia piracy has increased but conversely, it does not seem that Southeast Asian pirates have as “good” of intentions as Somalia’s pirates. From a few readings I have come to the conclusion that as globalization increases, piracy as well increases. I would originally think that as an economy is growing, a country would produce less crime. But in some examples it shows that even as markets increase, piracy is positively associated.

Before, Asian pirates would use ancient spice routes to find their next target. However, now with Chinas booming economy, the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea are highly used routes by trade ships and have become the new target routes for Asian pirates. One-quarter of the world’s commerce and half of its oil pass through these routes. China’s individual economy as well accounts for one-third of the world’s global trade and one-fourth of the world’s oil. As there economy is boosting the statics in piracy acts have also increased: from 1995-2013, 136 people were killed by pirates in Asia (more than twice the number of those in Africa). As well Southeast Asia accounted for 41% of the worlds pirate attacks (whereas Somalia and West Africa accounted for 28% and 18% of the attacks)

Along with increasing criminal acts of piracy, it has been speculated that corruption between oil ships and pirates is taking place in Asia. The Oraphin 4 is one of 11 vessels that was attacked 4 times. First, in August of 2013, two attacks in October, and the last attack in May 2014. During one the attacks the ship should have sailed to a nearby Malaysia port to report the crimes that had taken place. Instead the ship sailed back to its homeport in Sri Racha delaying the reports. As well, given the high number of ships that travel these routes, its very odd that at random the same shipping company was a constant victim. Many people believe that the ships captain or chief engineers are involved in these incidents. But after investigation, the captain and the crew were cleared.

            Pirates have been able to steal millions of dollars of fuel from these ships. Once the oil is obtained it is often mixed with legally attained oil. This mixed oil is then sold again into the market. As of now, this fuel exchange of illegal oil is highly taking place in Singapore.

            As China is becoming one of largest economies their growth of inputs and exports are only heavily increasing. With an increase in high productivity and economic expansion there still remains to be neighboring countries that are increasing in criminal activity. Over time, piracy has decreased in Somalia and seemed to shift to Asia. I think that as globalization expands in Asian countries more corruption, illegal activity, and piracy will take place.