🎧 Audio
📖 Script
A recent incident involving a tanker called the Hellas Aphrodite off the coast of Somalia has caught international attention. This event highlights the ongoing issue of piracy in the region, which affects global trade routes. The European Union’s naval mission, known as Operation Atalanta, responded quickly to the situation. They secured the tanker and ensured the safety of all 24 crew members on board. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.
Operation Atalanta was established by the EU to protect ships from piracy in the waters around the Horn of Africa. This region is notorious for pirate attacks due to its strategic location, where many ships pass through, carrying goods from Asia to Europe and beyond. Pirates in this area often seize ships and demand ransom money in exchange for the crew’s safety.
Piracy not only poses dangers to those on board but also impacts global trade and shipping costs. When piracy is rampant, insurance premiums for shipping companies can increase, and trade routes may need to be altered, leading to longer delivery times and higher costs for goods. This, in turn, affects consumers worldwide.
The swift action by the EU naval force demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in securing maritime trade routes. Such operations are crucial in ensuring that goods can be transported safely and that global trade continues smoothly. The successful rescue of the Hellas Aphrodite’s crew is a testament to the effectiveness of these collaborative efforts.
Despite the successful intervention, piracy remains a significant challenge. Continued international efforts are necessary to address the root causes of piracy, such as poverty and political instability in Somalia. By improving economic conditions and governance in the region, the international community can help reduce the incentives for piracy and enhance security for ships operating in these waters.
📝 Vocabulary
- incident: an event or occurrence
例文: “The incident in the park attracted a lot of media attention.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- recent incident
- serious incident
- isolated incident
事件、出来事 - piracy: the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea
例文: “Piracy has been a problem in this region for many years.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- combat piracy
- piracy attack
- piracy threat
海賊行為 - secure: to make safe or protect
例文: “They secured the building against intruders.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- secure a position
- secure a deal
- secure the area
確保する、守る - ransom: money demanded for the release of a person or property
例文: “The kidnappers asked for a large ransom.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- demand ransom
- pay ransom
- ransom money
身代金 - cooperation: working together for a common purpose
例文: “International cooperation is essential to tackle climate change.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- close cooperation
- international cooperation
- cooperation agreement
協力
✏️ Grammar Point
Past Simple Tense – “They secured the tanker and ensured the safety of all 24 crew members on board.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
過去の出来事や事実を述べる際に使用します。ビジネスミーティングや報告書でよく使われます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The EU naval force successfully rescued the Hellas Aphrodite without any injuries.
- MCQ: What was the main purpose of Operation Atalanta?
a) To transport goods from Asia to Europe
b) To protect ships from piracy
c) To increase global trade
d) To improve economic conditions in Somalia - MCQ: Why is the region around the Horn of Africa significant?
a) It is a popular tourist destination
b) It has rich oil reserves
c) It is a major global trade route
d) It is known for political stability
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- b) To protect ships from piracy
- c) It is a major global trade route
📚 Reading Questions
- Who responded to the piracy incident off the coast of Somalia?
- Why is international cooperation important in securing maritime trade routes?
- What does the word “secured” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The European Union’s naval mission, Operation Atalanta, responded.
- It ensures that global trade can continue smoothly and safely.
- To make safe or protect
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
ソマリア沖でのタンカー「ヘラス・アフロディーテ」号の事件は、同地域における海賊行為の問題を浮き彫りにしました。この地域は、アジアからヨーロッパへの重要な貿易ルートに位置しており、海賊行為が頻発しています。EUの海軍ミッション「アタランタ作戦」は、迅速に対応し、乗組員全員を無事に救出しました。海賊行為は、保険料の増加や貿易ルートの変更を引き起こし、世界経済に影響を与える可能性があります。国際協力を通じて、地域の経済状況を改善し、海賊行為の根本原因に取り組むことが重要です。
