Somali Pirates Being Driven Back To The Seas By Drought and Famine: U.S. Commander Commander At its peak in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks, according to the International Maritime Bureau. Piracy in the region cost the global economy more than $6 billion in 2011, according to antipiracy NGO the One Earth Future Foundation. Learn more. Article Details Published April 24, 2017 Topic Livelihoods and Peace Program One Earth Future Content Type In the media