Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and other members of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing on today on international piracy, a serious and growing threat to international shipping. In 2008, pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden more than doubled, putting mariners in danger and imposing an economic burden on shipping companies.

“When it comes to battling piracy in the 21st century, there is no “X marks the spot” solution,” said Larsen. “A comprehensive approach is needed to strengthen security, help ships evade pirates and defend themselves from attack, and help states in pirate-prone areas improve their surveillance and interdiction capabilities. Finally, a comprehensive approach to combating piracy must address the current political situation in Somalia.”

The Gulf of Aden is a critical shipping corridor with between 16,000 and 20,000 ships transiting annually including 12 percent of the world’s petroleum shipments.   According to a Chatham House report, insurance premiums for ships traveling through the Gulf of Aden have risen ten-fold in 2008.

Several factors have contributed to the increased frequency of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia:  a larger number of high-value targets passing through the Gulf of Aden, the global proliferation of small arms trade, and most significantly, persistent civil violence and lawlessness in the country of Somalia. 

“As a member of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, I look forward to discussing how to best use our military assets, both Coast Guard and Naval, to combat piracy while protecting the interests of the American taxpayer,” Larsen continued. “We must carefully consider whether an ongoing naval mission to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia is a worthy and cost-effective use of our naval assets in the long term.”

Congressman Larsen has requested that the House Armed Services Committee hold a hearing to address the role of the American military in combating piracy.

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