FACTBOX: Piracy on the high seas

(Reuters) - Three Somali pirates were killed in a shootout between rival groups arguing over what to do with a hijacked Ukrainian ship, a maritime group said on Tuesday.

Pirates have attacked dozens of ships off Somalia this year, making its 3,300 km (2,060 mile) coastline one of the most dangerous in the world and threatening an important shipping lane between Europe and Asia. The gangs demand large ransoms.

Here is some information about piracy:

GLOBAL INCIDENTS:

* A total of 114 incidents were reported in the first six months of 2008, fewer than 126 reported in the same 2007 period.

* Piracy incidents recorded in the second quarter of 2008 totaled 62, versus 52 in the first quarter.

AFRICA:

* Africa remains a piracy flashpoint. The IMB's Piracy Reporting Center reported earlier this month that there have been over 50 attacks on vessels in 2008 in Somali waters, predominantly in the Gulf of Aden, more than 20 resulting in successful hijackings. Over 340 seamen have been taken hostage.

* As of September 16, at least 10 vessels and 221 crew members were being held by the pirates, the Center said.

* Somali gunmen are holding several vessels for ransom at Eyl, a lawless former fishing outpost in Puntland.

* Somali pirates demanded a $20 million ransom for the Ukrainian ship they seized carrying 33 tanks and other military supplies for Kenya.

* Intelligence sources say two suspicious trawlers now in the Gulf of Aden are believed to be pirate mother vessels looking to attack and hijack ships.

INCIDENTS OFF SOMALIA IN SEPTEMBER:

* Sept 3 - Pirates seize the Carre D'as IV, a small French yacht with two French citizens aboard, in the Gulf of Aden, and demand a ransom of more than $1.4 million. A French military operation frees the French couple on September 16.

* Sept 2 - An Egyptian ship is hijacked.

* Sept 10 - Pirates seize a South Korean cargo ship.