The issues developed throughout this article highlight a variety of complicated ethical dilemmas that have no easy solution; and the way in which these issues impact upon the immense range of stakeholders related to the shipping industry. It is an examination of some of the most extreme problems that can arise in the large scale international business environment and attempts to determine the most ethical manner in which they can be solved, minimizing the damage to all parties. The key controversial corporate-ethical argument causing tension between stakeholders is whether or not it is the right thing to do for international shipping companies to adhere to the demands of Somalian Pirates, who over recent years have heavily increased the volume of ships seized in both Somalian and international waters; 120% increase from 2006-2008 with ransoms being paid of up to fifty million dollars. The immense increase in pirate numbers is a clear indicator of the increasing strength of the pirate organization and the fact that the past ransoms are providing an incentive for the pirates to continue their operations and even up the ante. These pirates present huge risks to a range of stakeholders including crew aboard the ship, the shipping companies, international businesses using the companies, insurance companies, governments and anyone else with a vested interested in ensuring that the cargo gets safely transported between countries, which can be considered practically anyone that relies on the commodities that are transported. Risk Factors Associated with Somalian Piracy The nature of risk associated with this issue is very complex as it affects every stakeholder differently. The initial risk is one of human welfare and safety. When carrying out these attacks, the pirates give the ship owners a clear ultimatum that either they pay the ransom or they will injure and kill the staff on board. This presents a whole range of moral implications for the ship owner as they must determine how they wish to manage the situation. On the one hand, if they pay the ransom, they are ensuring the safety of the staff, however in another light it can be seen as encouraging and financially fueling the pirates to carry out further attacks; an argument supported by the huge increase in pirate activity. Even though it is common ethical understanding that human life is more valuable than money and should be preserved at any cost, it is apparent that continuing to throw money at the pirates in hope that the problem will disappear is in fact having the opposite effect in worsening the issue, endangering more human lives. Another key risk to the shipping company is the potential for their repu