A total of 49 incidents were recorded around the world inthe first quarter of 2014, a level not seen since 2007 when there were 41reported attacks.

Naval forces and armed guards continue to keep a lid on incidentsoff Somalia which accounted for just five of the total, the same number as thefirst quarter of last year, and no successful hijackings.

The threat of Somali piracy has been gradually receding with just 15 incidents in the whole of 2013, down from 75 in 2012 and 237 in 2011, the IMB reported earlier this year.

Its