UAE boosts anti-piracy fleet in Seychelles

The United Arab Emirates is pledging $15 million to boost anti-piracy patrols by the Indian Ocean nation of the Seychelles.

The United Arab Emirates is pledging $15 million to boost anti-piracy patrols by the Indian Ocean nation of the Seychelles.

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The Emirates' news agency WAM said on Saturday the deal will double the Seychelles' coast guard fleet to 10 vessels. Somali pirates have expanded their assaults deeper into shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean.

The Emirates' waters in the Gulf are not directly under threat from pirate attacks, but its ports are a major hub for maritime commerce. An international flotilla, including US and European warships, has been deployed off Somalia in attempts safeguard merchant ships.

Earlier this week, the Seychelles signed an agreement with the United States to put suspected pirates on trial.