piracy off the somali coast has been a threat to international shipping since the beginning of somalia's civil war in the early 1990s. since 2005, many international organizations, including the international maritime organization and the world food programme, have expressed concern over the rise in acts of piracy. piracy has contributed to a rise in shipping costs and impeded the delivery of food aid shipments. ninety percent of the world food programme's shipments arrive by sea, and ships have required a military escort. according to the kenyan foreign minister, somali pirates have received over $150 million (us dollars) in ransom money during the 12 months prior to november 2008.
on october 7, 2008, the united nations security council adopted resolution 1838 calling on nations with vessels in the area to apply military force to repress the acts of piracy. at the 101st council of the international maritime organizati