The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed piracy at sea has reached its lowest levels in six years. In 2013 264 attacks were recorded worldwide, a 40% drop since Somali piracy peaked in 2011.
IMB’s annual global piracy report shows more than 300 people were taken hostage at sea last year and 21 were injured, nearly all with guns or knives. A total of 12 vessels were hijacked, 202 were boarded, 22 were fired upon and a further 28 reported attempted attacks. Nigerian pirates were particularly violent, killing one crewmember, and kidnapping 36 people to hold onshore for ransom.
Somali Piracy Drops
The biggest reason for the drop in piracy is the decrease in Somali piracy. 15 incidents were reported off Somalia in 2013, down from 75 in 2012, and 237 in 2011. These figures are the lowest since 2006, when 10 Somali attacks were recorded.
The 15 2013 incidents include two hijacked vessels, both of which were released within a day as a result of naval actions. A further eight vessels were fired upon.
IMB says Somali piracy has dropped due to the key role of international navies, the hardening of vessels, the use of private armed security teams, and the stabilising influence of Somalia’s central government.
Nigerian Pirates further Afield
West African piracy made up 19% of attacks worldwide last year. Nigerian pirates and armed robbers accounted for 31 of the region’s 51 attacks, taking 49 people hostage and kidnapping 36, more than in any year since 2008.
Nigerian pirates ventured far into waters off Gabon, Ivory Coast and Togo, where they were linked with at least five of the region’s seven reported vessel hijackings. Off the coast of Nigeria itself, 2 ships were hijacked, 13 were boarded and 13 fired upon.
Malaysian waters saw the hijacking of two product tankers with 27 crew taken hostage, resulting in the theft of ships’ property and cargo.
Armed Robbery on the Rise
In Indonesian anchorages and waters, IMB reports a high number of “low-level opportunistic thefts”. However, these accounted for more than 50% of all vessels boarded in 2013, and armed robbery increased for a fourth consecutive year.
Over a third of Indonesia’s incidents were reported in the last quarter of 2013. The Indonesian Marine Police have increased maritime patrols and designated safe anchorage areas for vessels to use in certain higher risk ports.
Attacks in India and Bangladesh are also described as “low-level and opportunistic”. The incidents off India have increased year on year since 2010, reaching 14 in 2013, while IMB says active patrolling by the Bangladesh Coast Guard has kept the number of incidents off Chittagong in Bangladesh at around 12 for the last few years.
IMB offers the latest piracy reports free of charge.
Picture by the US Navy
