Piracy spreads to Red Sea

Somali pirates have expanded their attack zones to the Red Sea, Fairplay was warned today. In the first-known attack in the Indian Ocean's saltwater inlet between Africa and Asia, an as yet unidentified chemical tanker was damaged by pirates firing automatic weapons from a skiff.

"Although there was an attempted attack earlier in the year, this is the first time a vessel has been fired on in the Red Sea," International Maritime manager Cyrus Moody told Fairplay today. "The pirates got away, and no other vessels are thought to be involved. "The pirates are extending their area of operations, and vessels should exercise caution and masters should be especially vigilant as they may now be targeted in the Red Sea," Moody added.