WRAPUP 2-Major shippers skirt Gulf of Aden to avoid pirates

* Maersk and other major shippers divert ships around Cape

* UN urged to send troops to Somalia to halt strife

* Arab League calls on Europe, United States to act

By Abdi Sheikh

MOGADISHU, Nov 20 (Reuters) - One of the world's biggest shippers said on Thursday some of its fleet was avoiding the Suez Canal due to rampant piracy off Somalia, and a major tanker association said many others were also diverting vessels.

Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) is routing some of its 50 oil tankers around the Cape of Good Hope instead, and Intertanko said many other tanker firms were doing the same.

Norway's Frontline (FRO.OL) (FOR.N), which ferries much of the Middle East's oil to world markets, said it was considering a similar step.

The move follows Saturday's spectacular capture by Somali pirates of a huge Saudi Arabian supertanker loaded with $100 million worth of oil, the biggest ship hijacking in history.

The scores of attacks in Somali waters this year have driven up insurance costs for shipping firms and the decision to divert cargo around South Africa risks pushing up prices for manufactured goods and commodities.

"We need immediate action from governments to protect these vital trade lanes -- robust action in the form of greater naval and military support with a clear mandate to engage, to arrest pirates and to bring them to trial," Intertanko said.

PROTECTION

Forces from NATO, the European Union and elsewhere are trying to protect vessels on one of the world's busiest shipping routes, linking Europe to Asia. But many analysts say there can be no lasting end to the piracy without peace on land.

"It must be addressed by relevant authorities and the international community," said Soren Skou, Maersk partner and board member. "It is not a problem that A.P. Moller-Maersk or the shipping industry can solve alone."

The African Union's top diplomat, Jean Ping, said on Thursday the United Nations should send peacekeepers to Somalia urgently to stop the strife that is fuelling piracy and is aggravated by feuding politicians in Somalia.