The business for pirate ships "flying flags of convenience from landlocked nations has boomed", says the New Scientist.

CNN: All about: Global fishing

Flags of convenience now account for more than half the world's merchant tonnage, and they show no signs of slowing.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia waves the flag

With its rush into flags of convenience in search of low wages and taxes, shipping was a pioneer of globalisation.

ECONOMIST: Shipping

Earlier this year, the American government asked the International Maritime Organisation, a London-based agency that is part of the United Nations, to help it penetrate the cloak of secrecy provided by flags of convenience.

ECONOMIST: In peril on the sea | The