What is simpler than to give important shipping such as supertankers an escort, a single small frigate would do. Any piracy attempts, blow them out of the water.
Some say these Somali hijackers are in league with Al queda. Its amazing that in other spheres especially air transport they are instructed not to give in to hijackers. Its a different kettle of fish when they have a few rifles and a grappling net ladder to climb aboard especially when the cargo is worth a small fortune.
It'll be interesting to see how the Saudis react to the capture of their oil and hold the ship to ransom.
I thoroughly agree with you flobbergob. Watching the SAS/Special Forces on the box, bring the hijacked plane in Mogadishu siege to an end in the 80's, with the loss of life of all the hijackers, strangely, hijacking ceased to be a viable option for terrorists. Amazing that!!!!!!