SINGAPORE TO SEND WARSHIP TO FIGHT PIRACY

SINGAPORE, Feb 12 (Bernama) - Maritime nation Singapore which has a
strategic global shipping business is sending a naval force to the Gulf of Aden
to join the international community in their fight against the rampant ship
piracy off the Somalia coast.

The republic would be deploying a landing ship tank (LST) with two Super
Puma helicopters and 200 naval personnel for a period of three months this year,
according to Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean in Parliament Thursday.

He said the ship, which would work with the United States-led multi-national
Combined Task Force 151 to protect shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden would be
deployed once it was ready for operation.

The minister said as a maritime nation, Singapore shared the concerns of the
international community regarding piracy and was committed to supporting
international efforts to keep the sea lanes safe and secure.

Teo said the global community should play their role in safeguarding
international shipping lanes for everyone's use as no one country could do it
alone.

Last year Somalian pirates attacked dozens of cargo and container ships
including an oil tanker and a ship ladened with battle tanks, and raked over
US$100 million in ransom money.

-- BERNAMA