With this in mind, it is of critical importance that those involved in the maritime domain understand the harsh realities of pirates and their nefarious deeds. The act of piracy itself, a crime conducted at sea, is both intriguing and disturbing – and recent trends have only made it more so. There are credible arguments supporting a direct connection between radical international terrorist organizations and maritime terrorism that has created a security threat in many parts of the world. Many plausible factors could entice radical groups to look to the seas as an available means to further their cause. These facts shape an unpleasant reality that is a major problem for those who operate in the maritime arena.

Piracy and oceangoing terrorism might be unfamiliar to many people, especially those not directly involved in the maritime industry. Nevertheless, piracy is persistently evolving and adapting in the modern environment. Furthermore, facts indicate that piracy has been adopted as a new method of terrorism in achieving the goals of various extremist organizations. To better understand this, it is first necessary to understand the nature of piracy and its evolution as a method of terrorism.