If they are that concerned about piracy, why not send a couple of destroyers and frigates along to escort it? I mean, that's seriously a cheaper alternative to possible piracy/damage/destruction, and even more so could be a useful exercise/training for the vessels as well as real, serious protection.
The main purpose of a navy is to protect a nation's shipping, while also posing a threat to enemy shipping in time of war. Projecting power is useless if your nation is starving because the ships bringing in the food are lying on the bottom of the ocean. Ask England about that.
