Page 60: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Jan/Feb 2019)

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STATISTICS

IMB P r 2018: Iracy ePort iracy increased on the world’s seas in 2018, with a tical miles off Bonny Island, Nigeria. Two days later, Nigerian marked rise in attacks against ships and crews around pirates in a speedboat hijacked a tanker underway 100 nauti-

PWest Africa, the International Chamber of Commerce’s cal miles off Point Noire, Congo. Eight of the 18 crew were

International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest annual piracy kidnapped. These are just two recent examples of how armed report reveals. Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre criminals are reaching further out to sea and targeting a wider (PRC) recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed variety of ships: bulk carriers, container vessels and general robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017. Table 1 depicts some of cargo vessels in addition to local attacks on tankers, oil indus- the global piracy hotspots. try support vessels and fshing vessels.

Reliable global anti-piracy support Somali Threat

Since 1991, IMB’s 24-hour manned Piracy Reporting Cen- Although no ships were hijacked in the region, pirates fred tre has provided the maritime industry, governments and re- upon a suezmax tanker in the Gulf of Aden, as well as a prod- sponse agencies with timely and transparent data on piracy uct tanker and a capesize bulk carrier more than three hun- and armed robbery incidents – received directly from the dred miles from the Somali coastline. IMB urges masters to

Master of the vessel or its owners. The IMB PRC’s prompt continue to maintain high levels of vigilance when transiting forwarding of reports and liaison with response agencies, its these waters and to follow the latest BMP recommendations. broadcasts to shipping via Inmarsat Safety Net Services and This also highlights the requirement for the continued pres- email alerts to CSOs, all provided free of charge, has helped ence of the European Union and international navies around the response against piracy and armed robbery and the secu- the Horn of Africa.

rity of seafarers, globally.

Indonesia Improves, Malaysia Still a Concern

Gulf of Guinea Patrols by the Indonesia Marine Police have seen the num-

The Gulf of Guinea in particular, says IMB, remains in- ber of incidents drop for the third successive year. The major- creasingly dangerous for seafarers. Reports of attacks in wa- ity of the 36 Indonesian reports were low level opportunistic ters between the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of thefts. Six crew, however, were taken hostage and threatened,

Congo more than doubled in 2018, accounting for all six hi- indicating the need to be vigilant. Attacks off Sabah, eastern jackings worldwide, 13 of the 18 ships fred upon, 130 of the Malaysia, continue to be a cause of concern with fve crew- 141 hostages taken globally, and 78 of 83 seafarers kidnapped members from two fshing boats reported as kidnapped. Sep- for ransom. The region saw a signifcant new spike in violence arately four attackers in a speedboat fred on a tug, and the in the last quarter of 2018. Vessels have been boarded by pi- master was shot in the leg.

rates well outside territorial waters, with crew kidnapped and taken into Nigeria where they are held for ransom. “There is Philippines an urgent need for increased cooperation and sharing of in- Ten incidents have been reported from the Philippine is- telligence between the Gulf of Guinea’s littoral states so that lands – down from 22 in 2017. Batangas anchorage accounts effective action can be taken against pirates, both at sea and for fve of these. In one attack, suspected militants fred upon on-shore where their operations originate and end,” an IMB a general cargo ship. The prompt action of the crew and the spokesman said. “There has been some improvement in the Philippine Coast Guard ensured the vessel’s safety, although estimated number of unreported attacks in 2018 but at around a crewmember was injured by gunfre. The alerts broadcast 48% there is still a long way to go.” by the PRC on behalf of the Philippine authorities provide valuable information to Masters and Chief Security Offcers

Nigeria Outlook (CSO), helping deter militant attacks.

In the last three months of 2018, 41 kidnappings were re- IMB continues to urge shipmasters and owners and other corded in waters off Nigeria alone. On 27 October 2018, 11 maritime interests to report all actual, attempted and suspected crewmembers were kidnapped from a container vessel 70 nau- piracy and armed robbery incidents to the IMB PRC. This frst 60 Maritime Logistics Professional January/February 2019 | |