NEW : Study shows low level pirates earn up to $ 75,000 a vessel . Comment: Piracy off the Horn of Africa hauled in about $ 400 million in ransom in the past several years . Though incidents of piracy have plummeted since 2011 , it costs the global economy $ 18 billion a year in increased trade expenses , according to the study . Financiers , considered the `` money kingpins , '' earned the most loot .
NEW : Study shows low level pirates earn up to $ 75,000 a vessel . Comment: Piracy off the Horn of Africa hauled in about $ 400 million in ransom in the past several years . Financiers , considered the `` money kingpins , '' earned the most loot .