Looks like pirates are making an awful lot of money right now and this current situation will likely be headed the same way:

FOXNews.com - Pirates Collect $150M Over Past Year at Expense of Global Economy - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

I can't see this now being resolved any other way than paying up the ransom.

Unfortunately this wll probably just embolden the wannabe pirates.

But by the next time hopefully there will be better pre-emptive measures in place, like armed patrols and stuff.