ICC’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is calling for sustained vigilance to protect seafarers amid increasing violence despite an overall drop in the number of piracy incidents reported in IMB’s mid-year report for 2024, released 11 July.
Sixty incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of 2024, a decrease from 65 incidents for the same period in 2023. Of the sixty incidents reported, 46 vessels were boarded, eight reported attempted attacks, four were hijacked and two were fired upon. Perpetrators successfully boarded 85 per cent of targeted vessels.
Violence towards crew continues, with 85 taken hostage compared to 36 in the same period last year, eleven kidnapped and two threatened. Guns and knives were reported in 34 of the 59 incidents, a worrying increase from the same period last year.
ICC secretary general John W.H. Denton AO: ‘While we are reassured to see a fall in the number of overall reported acts of piracy, the concerning rise in incidents of a violent nature underscores the need for continued vigilance from the international community to ensure the safety of all seafarers — especially at this time of heightened uncertainty for maritime transport.’
Also read: 13% of seaborne trade under attack from Houthis and Somali pirates
Caution urged around Somali waters
Despite the decline in global reported incidents, Somali piracy still poses a threat, with eight reported incidents in the first half of 2024, including three hijackings. Recent incidents demonstrate the continued capability and capacity of the Somali pirates to target vessels up to 1000 nautical miles (nm) off the Somali coast.
‘We continue to urge caution around Somali piracy incidents and call on all vessel owners and masters to harden their vessels and follow all recommended guidelines in the latest Best Management Practices while transiting Somali waters,’ says IMB director Michael Howlett.
Also read: IMB: Somali piracy threat continues
Concern for crew in Gulf of Guinea
Incidents have dropped from fourteen to ten in the Gulf of Guinea, but threats to crew safety and wellbeing continue to be a cause of concern. The region accounts for the eleven-crew kidnapped globally in the first half of 2024 in two separate incidents and 21 of the crew taken hostage in one incident.
IMB reiterates the need for a continued and robust regional and international naval presence to respond to these incidents and safeguard life at sea.
Low reporting in Singapore Straits
There is a noticeable decrease of reported incidents in the Singapore Straits: thirteen in the first half of 2024 compared to twenty the same period last year. However, the targeting and boarding of large vessels transiting through these waters remains worrying.
While considered low level opportunistic crimes, ten crew were taken hostage in six separate incidents with guns and knives reported in eleven incidents. Despite the decline of reported incidents, IMB is aware of incidents not being reported.
Also read: Piracy incidents on the rise in 2023
Rising incidents in the Indonesian archipelagic region and Bangladesh
IMB has recorded twelve incidents in the Indonesian archipelago, the highest since the first half of 2021 when fifteen incidents were reported. Two crew were reported as taken hostage and one threatened during these incidents. Knives were reported in six incidents and guns in one incident. This year, six incidents occurred at Dumai anchorage compared to one in the first half of 2023.
Low-level incidents have increased in Bangladesh, up from one in the first six months of 2023 to ten in 2024. This is the highest reported number of incidents in the first half of a year since 2015. All vessels were at anchorage with eight incidents reported at Chattogram.
