The newest piracy report from ICC Worldwide Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed an increase in reported incidents within the Gulf of Guinea, in addition to ‘worrying indicators’ for the Singapore Straits.
In accordance with the report, there have been 99 incidents of piracy and armed theft towards ships within the first 9 months of 2023, marking a rise from 90 incidents throughout the identical interval in 2022.
Among the many reported incidents, 85 vessels had been boarded, 9 had tried assaults, three had been hijacked, and two had been fired upon. The perpetrators efficiently boarded 89% of the focused vessels, with most incidents occurring at evening.
Whereas the reported violence in direction of crew members is comparatively low in comparison with the previous three many years, there stays an actual threat to crew security. Within the first 9 months of 2023, 69 crew members had been taken hostage, 14 had been kidnapped, eight had been threatened, three had been injured, and one was assaulted.
IMB Director Michael Howlett expressed concern over the rise in reported incidents within the Gulf of Guinea.
“The Gulf of Guinea stands as a area of concern with an increase in reported incidents, versus the downward development we now have seen up to now two years,” mentioned Howlett. “The IMB sees regional possession as crucial to safeguard delivery and commerce and to handle these crimes.”
Gulf of Guinea
The report confirmed a rise in reported incidents within the Gulf of Guinea, with 21 incidents recorded within the first 9 months of 2023, in comparison with 14 incidents throughout the identical interval in 2022. Amongst these incidents, 17 had been categorised as armed robberies and 4 as piracy. The security of crew members is a mounting concern, as 54 had been taken hostage, 14 had been kidnapped, and two had been injured.
Singapore Straits
The Singapore Straits additionally raised considerations, with 33 reported incidents within the first 9 months of 2023, in comparison with 31 incidents throughout the identical interval final 12 months. Out of those incidents, 31 vessels had been boarded, 5 crew members had been taken hostage, and two had been threatened. The vast majority of incidents had been reported in July, with ship shops or properties being the first goal for theft.
The navigational challenges of the Singapore Straits additional compound the dangers posed by these incidents, probably affecting secure navigation in these congested waters.
IMB emphasizes the significance of early reporting of incidents, even low-level opportunistic ones, to guard seafarers and make sure the security of regional and worldwide delivery and commerce. The group commends native authorities for his or her efforts in investigating practically all reported incidents.
Indonesian Archipelago and South America
The IMB’s report additionally highlighted a rise within the variety of incidents within the Indonesian archipelagic area, with 12 incidents reported in the course of the first 9 months of 2023, in comparison with 10 incidents throughout the identical interval in 2020 and 7 incidents in 2021. Knives had been sighted in 5 out of the 12 reported incidents.
Moreover, studies from Callao Anchorage in Peru elevated to 13 incidents from eight throughout the identical interval in 2022. These incidents included 9 crew members being taken hostage, one member being threatened, and one other member being assaulted.
