Nigeria, Nov. 6 -- Piracy off Somalia's coast has resurfaced, with nine hijackings so far this year attributed to local raiders. In the latest incident on 29 October, the Iranian fishing vessel Azini was attacked off the coast of Puntland. India's navy rescued the crew and vessel, preventing the pirates from using it to board other commercial ships.

The increase in incidents has renewed concerns over maritime security and created more problems for global shipping, adding to the war in Iran and rising consumer prices.

Geography plays a key role in creating conditions conducive to recurring piracy off Somalia's coast. Puntland, the current epicentre, has been central to waves of piracy since the early 2000s. Much of Somalia's coastline - ...