Piracy situation grave off Somalia coast

The capture of the Saudi supertanker -- the Sirius Star -- off the coast of Somalia on Saturday has once again highlighted the severity of the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden.

The surge of piracy in waters off Somalia since early this year has become a thorny issue hampering international trade and security.

Gruelling negotiations are continuing for the release of the Saudi ship and its crew. Meanwhile, the international community is discussing ways to tackle the problem.

The Saudi supertanker is a brand new vessel with a 25-member crew. It was seized more than 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa.

It was the largest ship that pirates have seized so far in that area. The capture is also the farthest out to sea they have accomplished. The tanker's oil cargo alone is worth US$100 million.

On Tuesday, an Iranian cargo vessel with a crew of 25 was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. It was flying a Hong Kong flag but is operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

Meanwhile, eight suspected Somali pirates were arraigned in a Mombasa court on Tuesday. They were caught about a week ago by crew members from Britain's Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland, off the Gulf of Aden.