German ship to join anti-pirate force off Africa

DEAUVILLE, France (Reuters) - Germany plans to provide a frigate for an EU naval task force to counter piracy off the coast of Africa, its Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung said on Wednesday.

European Union states were planning to deploy three frigates, a supply ship and three maritime surveillance ships, he said.

"I think that we Germans will participate with one frigate," Jung told reporters ahead of discussions on the issue by EU defense ministers in Deauville, France.

Heavily armed Somali pirates have hijacked more than 30 vessels off the coast of Somalia this year, making its waters the most dangerous in the world.

"Piracy has increased to such an extent I believe it is necessary to being about an EU mission to fight it efficiently," Jung said. "This is a situation that cannot be accepted...It is about guaranteeing naval security and enabling free sea trade."

French Defense Minister Herve Morin said both Europe and NATO planned to act and they should coordinate their activities.

Most attacks have been in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and north Somalia, a major sea lane for Middle East oil shipments which is used by about 20,000 vessels a year heading to and from the Suez Canal. Somali pirates are now holding 13 vessels captive with more than 200 sailors.

Global shipping groups called last month on naval powers to do more to stop piracy.

The groups, including the International Chamber of Shipping, Intercargo, Bimco and oil tanker group Intercargo, said they were "utterly amazed" governments were unable to secure one of the world's most important seaways.

Continued inaction risked causing a repetition of the crisis in the early 1970s when the Suez Canal was closed and merchant shipping was diverted round the Cape of Good Hope at Africa's southern tip, they said.

That re-routing had major consequences for international trade, including higher transport costs and the maintenance of inventories.

Some countries do have naval taskforces patrolling in the region, but they are often prevented from taking an active role by their rules of engagement.

(Editing by Mark Trevelyan)