To deal with piracy, we need to look to its environmental causes

There is compelling evidence that piracy has an ecological cause before it is a social problem.

Maritime piracy is one of the most significant risks faced by the global shipping industry, with an estimated US$16 billion being spent each year to cover mitigation and recovery costs. This includes added insurance premiums, cargo theft and - of course - ransoms. 

A landmark study from Georgetown University has elucidated how piracy might best be tackle…