http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/12/27/d3122701022.htm

According to Article 101 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS), a piracy is an armed robbery that occurs in a ship on high
sea, outside jurisdiction of any state. Any other violence or detention or
act of depredation directed against a ship or person or property on its
board happened within the jurisdiction of a state is called an armed
robbery.

Records at the shipping department show armed robbers attacked more than a
dozen foreign and local ocean-going ships anchored at Chittagong and Mongla
ports in a five-month span. Besides, many thefts go unreported, according to
sources in the department.



But a high official at the shipping department said the situation has taken
an alarming turn, as the number of such crimes in Bangladeshi ports has
increased to no less than half a dozen a month.


According to the records, around 20 robbers, armed with knives and axes,
boarded the ship Bright Star at Mongla Port on June 2 last. The marauders
cut off the ship's mooring ropes and stayed on board for about 30 minutes.
But the watch guard on duty did not come forward to confront them, even
after repeated calls, sources alleged.


On July 9, seven armed robbers attacked the MV Banga Biraj, held the deck
crew hostage and fled with valuables from its storeroom, the ship informed
the Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur.


The other ocean liners robbed at Chittagong and Mongla ports, from March to
July 10, were; MV Prospects, MV Capean Michels, MV Andhika Aryandhi, MV
Commander Express, MV Garrison Savanah, MV Jala Doot, MV Sea Cars and MV
Thor Falcon.